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Lower Manhattan

Financial District

The southern tip of the island, once skyscraper laden and nightlife starved, has been getting buzzier in the last few years. Exciting new bars and restaurants have opened, but the old dependable steak houses and bistros are still here.

Adrienne’s Pizza Bar.
$$ | ITALIAN | It’s hip to be square at this downtown pizzeria. Father-and-son team Harry and Peter Poulakakos’s square (also known as Grandma) pies are worth the trek and a convenient stop en route to the Statue of Liberty. They also do a mean traditional round pizza, and first-timers should opt for the signature Old Fashioned: thin, crispy crust loaded with tangy tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Salads and pasta are on the menu, too. Service has never been Adrienne’s forte, so be flattered if you get someone to crack a smile. | Average main: $17 | 54 Stone St., near Hanover Sq. , Financial District | 212/248–3838 | www.adriennespizzabarnyc.com | Station: R to Whitehall St.; 4, 5 to Bowling Green .

Delmonico’s.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | The oldest continually operating restaurant in New York City (since 1837), austere Delmonico’s is steeped in cultural, political, and culinary history. Lobster Newburg and Baked Alaska were invented here—and are still served. Inside the stately mahogany-panel dining room, tuck into the classic Delmonico’s steak, a 20-ounce boneless rib eye smothered with frizzled onions, and don’t forget to order creamed spinach on the side. The cheesy spaetzle with pancetta is also sinfully sublime. The dining room gets busy early with an after-work Wall Street crowd, making reservations essential. | Average main: $37 | 56 Beaver St., at William St. , Financial District | 212/509–1144 | www.delmonicosny.com | Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. | Reservations essential | Station: 2, 3 to Wall St.; R to Whitehall St.; 4, 5 to Bowling Green; J, Z to Broad St.

Financier Patisserie.
$ | CAFÉ | On the cobblestone pedestrian street that has become the Financial District’s restaurant row, this charming pâtisserie serves excellent pastries and delicious savory foods, like mushroom bisque, salads, and hot or cold sandwiches (we have cravings for the panini pressed with prosciutto, fig jam, mascarpone, and arugula). After lunch, relax with a cappuccino and a financier (almond tea cake), or an elegant pastry. In warm weather, perch at an outdoor table and watch Manhattanites buzz by. There are locations all over town. | Average main: $7 | 62 Stone St., between Mill La. and Hanover Sq. , Financial District | 212/344–5600 | www.financierpastries.com | No dinner | Reservations not accepted | Station: 2, 3 to Wall St.; 4, 5 to Bowling Green; J, Z to Broad St.

Harry’s Café and Steak.
$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | Its noise-dampening acoustics and maze of underground nooks combine to make Harry’s Steak—the fine-dining half of the restaurant (Harry’s Café is more casual, but the menu is the same)—one of the city’s most intimate steak houses. Settle into a leather booth and start with a classic shrimp cocktail or the tomato trio, starring thick beefsteak slices topped with bacon and blue cheese, mozzarella and basil, and shaved onion with ranch dressing. The star attraction—prime aged porterhouse for two—is nicely encrusted with sea salt and a good match for buttery mashed potatoes infused with sweet roasted shallots and thick steak sauce spooned from Mason jars. Weekend brunch is popular, too. | Average main: $35 | 1 Hanover Sq., between Stone and Pearl Sts. , Financial District | 212/785–9200 | www.harrysnyc.com | Closed Sun. | Reservations essential | Station: 4, 5 to Bowling Green; 2, 3 to Wall St.; J, Z to Broad St.

Ulysses’.
$ | AMERICAN | Squeezed between skyscrapers and the towering New York Stock Exchange, Stone Street is a two-block restaurant oasis that feels more like a village than the center of the financial universe. After the market closes, Wall Streeters head to Ulysses’, a popular pub with 12 beers on tap and more than 50 bottled beers. Hungry? There are decent pub-grub options, like mini cheeseburgers, fried oysters, nachos, and wings. | Average main: $10 | 95 Pearl St., near Hanover Sq. , Financial District | 212/482–0400 | www.ulyssesnyc.com | Station: R to Whitehall St.; J, Z to Broad St.; 2, 3 to Wall St.

TriBeCa

TriBeCa and its restaurants are a playground for the rich and famous. Fortunately, glamorous dining rooms in converted warehouses have been joined in the last few years by more casual spots.

Blaue Gans.
$$$ | AUSTRIAN | Chef Kurt Gutenbrunner, one of the most lauded Austrian chefs in New York, runs this sprawling brasserie like an all-day clubhouse. Pop in for a late-morning or early-afternoon snack—the coffee comes topped with schlag, the doughnuts filled with apricot jam. Or swing by in the evening for Central European standards like sausage, schnitzel, potato dumplings, and beef goulash. Wash it all down with a hoppy brew or a crisp Austrian white wine | Average main: $25 | 139 Duane St., near West Broadway , TriBeCa | 212/571–8880 | www.kg-ny.com | Station: 1, 2, 3, A, C to Chambers St.

Bubby’s.
$$ | AMERICAN | Neighborhood crowds clamoring for coffee and freshly squeezed juice line up for brunch at this TriBeCa mainstay, but Bubby’s is good for lunch and dinner, too, if you’re in the mood for comfort food like mac ‘n’ cheese or fried chicken. The dining room is homey and cozy, with big windows; in summer, patrons sit at tables outside with their dogs. Brunch options include just about everything, including homemade granola, sour-cream pancakes with bananas and strawberries, and huevos rancheros with guacamole and grits. | Average main: $18 | 120 Hudson St., at N. Moore St. , TriBeCa | 212/219–0666 | www.bubbys.com | Station: 1 to Franklin St.

Locanda Verde.
$$$ | ITALIAN | Chef Andrew Carmellini, first an acolyte of Daniel Boulud, and then a chef with a half dozen restaurants in his culinary arsenal, has definitely made a name for himself in New York City. This Robert De Niro–backed restaurant is still one of his best. The space at Locanda Verde is warm and welcoming, with accents of brick and wood and large windows that open to the street, weather permitting, while the menu is full of inspired Italian comfort food that hits the mark. Standouts include small plates like blue crab crostino with jalapeños and the pumpkin agnolotti in brown sage butter that diners reminisce about. Several draft beers, along with more than a dozen wines by the glass, make an already hopping bar scene even more of a draw. | Average main: $27 | 377 Greenwich St., at N. Moore St. , TriBeCa | 212/925–3797 | www.locandaverdenyc.com | Reservations essential | Station: 1 to Franklin St.

Marc Forgione.
$$$ | AMERICAN | Restaurant success runs in chef Marc Forgione’s blood—his father was one of the New York food scene megastars with his 1980’s restaurant, An American Place—but he more than holds his own at this neighborhood restaurant that continues to attract crowds for the ambitious, creative new American cuisine. The menu changes frequently, but whatever you order will be bold, flavorful, and inventive without a hint of preciousness. Meat dishes are excellent and well prepared, but Forgione has a special way with seafood. His chili-lobster appetizer, a take on a dish you find all over Asia, comes with Texas toast for mopping up the spicy, buttery sauce. Tartare (perhaps kingfish, hamachi, or salmon, depending on the day) is accented with avocado in a pool of sweet, soy-lashed sauce. | Average main: $30 | 134 Reade St., between Hudson and Greenwich Sts. , TriBeCa | 212/941–9401 | www.marcforgione.com | No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: 1, 2, 3 to Chambers St.

Nobu.
$$$$ | JAPANESE | At this large, bustling TriBeCa dining room (or its sister location uptown), you might just spot a celeb or two. New York’s famed Japanese restaurant has gained a lot of competition in recent years, but this is still the destination for the innovative Japanese cuisine Nobu Matsuhisa made famous (though he’s rarely in attendance these days). Dishes like fresh yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, rock shrimp tempura, or miso-marinated Chilean sea bass continue to draw huge crowds. Put yourself in the hands of the chef by ordering the tasting menu, or omakase, and specify how much you want to spend, then let the kitchen do the rest. Can’t get reservations? Try your luck at the first-come, first-served Nobu Next Door (literally next door), with a similar menu plus a sushi bar. | Average main: $38 | 105 Hudson St., at Franklin St. , TriBeCa | 212/219–0500 | www.myriadrestaurantgroup.com | No lunch weekends | Reservations essential | Station: 1 to Franklin St.

Odeon.
$$$ | FRENCH | New Yorkers change hangouts faster than they can speed-dial, but this spot has managed to maintain its quality and flair for more than 30 years. It still feels like the spot in TriBeCa to get a late-night bite. The neo–Art Deco room is still packed nightly with revelers, and the pleasant service and well-chosen wine list are always in style. Bistro menu highlights include frisée aux lardons (with bacon) with poached farm egg, grilled NY strip steak, and slow-cooked cod with baby leeks and fennel confit. | Average main: $28 | 145 West Broadway, between Duane and Thomas Sts. , TriBeCa | 212/233–0507 | www.theodeonrestaurant.com | Station: 1, 2, 3, A, C to Chambers St.

Tamarind.
$$$ | INDIAN | Many consider Tamarind to be one of Manhattan’s best Indian restaurants, and the elegant atmosphere makes it a different experience from many other NYC Indian eateries. Forsaking the usual brass, beads, sitar, and darkness, the dining room is sleek and modern. Welcoming host and owner Avtar Walia practically reinvents charm. The busy kitchen prepares multiregional dishes, some familiar (tandoori chicken, a searing lamb vindaloo), some unique (succulent venison chops in a vigorously spiced cranberry sauce, she-crab soup with saffron, nutmeg, and ginger juice). The more intriguing a dish sounds, the better it turns out to be. | Average main: $26 | 99 Hudson St., at Franklin St. , TriBeCa | 212/775–9000 | www.tamarindrestaurantsnyc.com | Station: 1 to Franklin St.; A, C, E to Canal St.

SoHo, NoLIta, Little Italy, and Chinatown

SoHo

Sure, eating in SoHo may not feel very low-key, with mostly pricey eateries full of fashionistas and the “see and be seen” crowd, but the restaurants here are worth the fight for a table.

Aquagrill.
$$$ | SEAFOOD | A SoHo standard for fresh seafood, this lively neighborhood eatery also makes its own pastries and baked goods—including the bread for the brunch-time challah French toast with cinnamon apples and pecan butter. Fans rave about the lunchtime $25.50 prix-fixe Shucker Special—a half-dozen oysters with homemade soup or chowder and a salad. Dinner specialties include roasted Dungeness crab cake napoleon with sun-dried tomato oil, and falafel-crusted salmon. Desserts are excellent, too, especially the chocolate tasting plate with its molten chocolate cake, milk-chocolate ice cream, and white-chocolate mousse. Service is warm and welcoming. | Average main: $30 | 210 Spring St., at 6th Ave. , SoHo | 212/274–0505 | www.aquagrill.com | Reservations essential | Station: C, E to Spring St.

Back Forty West.
$$ | AMERICAN | Chef Peter Hoffman was doing sustainable farm-to-table fare long before it became a near-obligatory restaurant trend in the Big Apple. The original Back Forty was in the East Village, but the current location just makes it more convenient for neighborhood denizens and shoppers to access the well-executed comfort food. The menu changes with the season, but expect dishes like coconut-milk-spiked scallop ceviche, pumpkin hummus, a very good grass-fed burger, and grilled trout from the Catskills, served alongside quality cocktails and a short but excellent list of beer and wine. Add in the rustic, homey decor, and you’ll feel like you’re hundreds of miles from that shopping mecca known as SoHo. | Average main: $20 | 70 Prince St., at Crosby St. , SoHo | 212/219–8570 | www.backfortynyc.com | No dinner Sun. | Station: B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.; N, R to Prince St.; 6 to Spring St.

Balthazar.
$$$ | FRENCH | Even with long waits and excruciating noise levels, most out-of-towners agree that it’s worth making reservations to experience restaurateur Keith McNally’s flagship, a painstakingly accurate reproduction of a Parisian brasserie with an insider New York feel. Like the decor, entrées re-create French classics: Gruyère-topped onion soup, steak frites, and icy tiers of crab, oysters, and other pristine shellfish. Brunch is still one of the toughest tables in town. The best strategy to experience this perennial fave is to go at off-hours or on weekdays for breakfast to miss the crush. | Average main: $28 | 80 Spring St., between Broadway and Crosby St. , SoHo | 212/965–1414 | www.balthazarny.com | Reservations essential | Station: 6 to Spring St.; N, R to Prince St.; B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.

Balthazar Bakery.
$$ | BAKERY | Follow the beguiling scent of fresh-baked bread to Balthazar Bakery, next door to Keith McNally’s always-packed Balthazar restaurant. Choices include fresh-baked baguettes and other varieties of French breads, as well as gourmet sandwiches, soups, and memorable pastries to take out (there is no seating). Try the berry noisette tart or coconut cake, or keep it simple with an eggy canelé or a buttery lemon or chocolate madeleine. | Average main: $23 | 80 Spring St., near Crosby St. , SoHo | 212/965–1785 | www.balthazarbakery.com | No dinner | Reservations not accepted | Station: 6 to Spring St.; N, R to Prince St.; B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.

Blue Ribbon.
$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | After over 25 years, Blue Ribbon still has a reputation not just as an eclectic, top-notch seafood joint, but also as a serious late-night foodie hangout. Join the genial hubbub for midnight noshing, namely the beef marrow with oxtail marmalade and renowned raw-bar platters. Trustafarians, literary types, chefs, and designers—a good-looking gang—generally fill this dark box of a room until 4 am. The menu appears standard at first blush, but it’s not. Try the duck club sandwich or matzo ball soup; the latter is a heady brew filled with the sacrilegious combo of seafood and traditional Jewish dumplings. | Average main: $33 | 97 Sullivan St., between Prince and Spring Sts. , SoHo | 212/274–0404 | www.blueribbonrestaurants.com | No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: C, E to Spring St.; N, R to Prince St.

Blue Ribbon Sushi.
$$$ | JAPANESE | Sushi, like pizza, attracts plenty of opinionated fanatics, and Blue Ribbon Sushi gets consistent raves for its überfresh sushi and sashimi. Stick to the excellent raw fish and specials here if you’re a purist, or branch out and try one of the experimental rolls: the Blue Ribbon—lobster, shiso (Japanese basil), and black caviar—is popular. The dark, intimate nooks, minimalist design, and servers with downtown attitude attract a stylish crowd who don’t mind waiting for a table or chilled sake. Between the quality and the location, it’s not cheap. | Average main: $27 | 119 Sullivan St., between Prince and Spring Sts. , SoHo | 212/343–0404 | www.blueribbonrestaurants.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: C, E to Spring St.; N, R to Prince St.

The Dutch.
$$$ | AMERICAN | Perpetually packed with the “see and be seen” crowd, chef Andrew Carmellini’s homage to American cuisine is really an encapsulation of recent food and dining trends: there’s an excellent burger (and at $23 it should be), a Kentucky-size bourbon collection behind the bar, greenmarket-driven comfort-food dishes like fried chicken, and bacon paired with things you would have not likely seen a couple of decades ago (in this case, scallops with bacon jam). And it all works well at this SoHo restaurant—so much so that you might consider returning for weekend brunch when the house-made bologna sandwich or cornmeal flapjacks appear on the menu. | Average main: $29 | 131 Sullivan St., at Prince St. , SoHo | 212/677–6200 | www.thedutchnyc.com | Reservations essential | Station: C, E to Spring St.

Hundred Acres.
$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | Set on a quiet block on the border of SoHo and Greenwich Village, the rustic, farmhouse-slash-greenhouse that is Hundred Acres is a lovely place to while away a long lunch or quiet dinner. The market-driven creative comfort food keeps the neighborhood patrons and out-of-towners-in-the-know coming back. The menu is loaded with all the items you’d expect from a farm-to-table affair: oysters, deviled eggs, broccoli rabe, and, yes, kale. Mains run the gamut from fish to meat: think a luscious pork shank with polenta and rhubarb chutney; shrimp and grits; or a classic burger made from pasture-raised beef, topped with Vermont cheddar and served with fries and Vidalia onion mayonnaise. Weekend brunch stands out, with variations on a Bloody Mary theme, and treats like a country pâté sandwich and goat-cheese-and-sage bread pudding. | Average main: $27 | 38 MacDougal St., between Houston and Prince Sts. , SoHo | 212/475–7500 | www.hundredacresnyc.com | Station: 1 to Houston St.; C, E to Spring St.; N, R to Prince St.

Lucky Strike.
$$ | BISTRO | Whether you’re lucky enough to nab a table at this scene-y SoHo bistro at 1 pm or 1 am, Lucky Strike always seems like the place to be. Bedecked in classic bistro trappings—hammered-copper stools, mirrors with menu items scrawled on them—the restaurant would look just as perfect in the Bastille neighborhood of Paris as it does in this swanky part of the Big Apple. The kitchen offerings are straightforward: croque monsieur, grilled salmon, and salade niçoise are old standbys, with a turkey burger thrown in to accommodate the Americain palate. | Average main: $19 | 59 Grand St., between West Broadway and Wooster St. , SoHo | 212/941–0772 | www.luckystrikeny.com | No credit cards | Station: 1, A, C, E to Canal St.

Lure Fishbar.
$$$ | SEAFOOD | Decorated like the clubby interior of a sleek luxury liner, Lure serves oceanic fare in multiple culinary styles. From the sushi bar, feast on options like the Lure House Roll—a shrimp tempura roll crowned with spicy tuna and Japanese tartar sauce—or opt for creative dishes from the kitchen, like steamed branzino with oyster mushrooms, scallions, and ponzu sauce, or Manila clams over pancetta-studded linguine. For an all-American treat, you can’t go wrong with a classic lobster roll on brioche. The dark subterranean bar is a good spot for cocktails and a snack. Brunch is served on weekends. | Average main: $29 | 142 Mercer St., at Prince St. , SoHo | 212/431–7676 | www.lurefishbar.com | Station: B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.; N, R to Prince St.

MarieBelle.
$$ | CAFÉ | Practically invisible from the front of the chocolate emporium, the back entry to the Cacao Bar opens into a sweet, high-ceiling, 12-table hot-chocolate shop. Most people order the Aztec, European-style (that’s 65% Colombian chocolate mixed with hot water—no cocoa powder here!). The first sip is startlingly rich but not too dense; American-style, made with milk, is sweeter. Not to worry if you’re visiting in spring or summer: you can opt for Aztec iced chocolate—the warm-weather version of the decadent cacao elixir—or the house-made chocolate gelato. For more substantial snacking, choose a salad or sandwich from the dainty lunch menu. | Average main: $13 | 484 Broome St., between West Broadway and Wooster St. , SoHo | 212/925–6999 | www.mariebelle.com | No dinner | Reservations not accepted | Station: 6 to Spring St.; A, C, E to Canal St.

The Mercer Kitchen.
$$$ | ASIAN FUSION | Part of Alsatian superchef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s culinary empire, the celebrity-laden front room of this SoHo spot in the Mercer Hotel is as much about scene as cuisine, which isn’t a bad thing. Dishes here look toward Asia (as is the proclivity of Mr. Vongerichten), using simple ingredients and pairings. Think scallops with lentils and pancetta or crispy squid with black-olive tartar sauce. It’s all good enough to make you feign disinterest over the A-list celeb who just walked in. | Average main: $30 | Mercer Hotel, 99 Prince St., at Mercer St. , SoHo | 212/966–5454 | www.themercerkitchen.com | No credit cards | Station: 6 to Spring St.; N, R to Prince St.; B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.

Osteria Morini.
$$$ | ITALIAN | Less formal than chef Michael White’s other renowned Italian restaurants (like Marea in Midtown West), the atmosphere at Osteria Morini is lively and upbeat, with communal tables at the center and a rock ‘n’ roll sound track. The food nevertheless steals the show. Start with a selection of cheeses and cured meats, then move on to hearty pastas—a lusty ragù Bolognese or garganelli with prosciutto and truffle butter, for example—and main courses like oven-baked polenta accompanied by either sausage or mushrooms. Waits can be long, so try to come early or late, or grab one of the few bar seats for an inventive cocktail or a glass of Italian wine. Brunch is served weekends. | Average main: $26 | 218 Lafayette St., between Spring and Broome Sts. , SoHo | 212/965–8777 | www.osteriamorini.com | Reservations essential | Station: 6 to Spring St.

Raoul’s.
$$$ | FRENCH | One of the first trendy spots in SoHo, this arty French restaurant has yet to lose its touch, either in the kitchen or atmosphere. Expect a chic bar scene—especially late at night—filled with polished PYTs, amazing photos on every piece of available wall space, and a lovely back room that you reach through the kitchen. The winding stairs to the upstairs dining room are narrow and a bit treacherous if wearing your highest heels. The food is bistro inspired, with oysters and salads to start, and pastas, fish, and meat options for mains. | Average main: $30 | 180 Prince St., between Sullivan and Thompson Sts. , SoHo | 212/966–3518 | www.raouls.com | No credit cards | No lunch weekdays | Station: C, E to Spring St.

NoLIta

In NoLIta, SoHo’s trendy next-door neighborhood, the spirit of old, pre-chain-store SoHo prevails. Diminutive eateries, squeezed between up-and-coming designer boutiques, flank the narrow streets of this atmospheric neighborhood.

Black Seed Bagels.
$ | CANADIAN | New York is known for bagels, which tend to be large and doughy and delicious. Montreal-style bagels, which is what you’ll find at Black Seed, have a denser, sweeter dough. The “toppings” (sesame, poppy seed, salt, everything) are more generous than on the New York bagels. The all-day menu here includes sandwich options with cream cheese, smoked salmon, whitefish salad, or baked eggs; the lunch menu adds a BLT with spicy mayo, roast beef with horseradish cream cheese, and a tuna melt to the mix, among others. Order at the counter and eat in if you can get a seat: the dark-wood-paneled café makes this one of the classiest bagel joints around. There’s also a location at 176 1st Avenue (between E. 10th and 11th Streets) in the East Village. | Average main: $9 | 170 Elizabeth St. , NoLIta | 212/730–1950 | www.blackseedbagels.com | Station: 6 to Spring St.

Café Habana.
$$ | MEXICAN | The Mexican-style grilled corn, liberally sprinkled with chili powder, lime, and cotija cheese is undoubtedly worth getting your hands dirty at this crowded, hip luncheonette. Follow up with a classic Cuban sandwich (roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and chipotle mayo), fish tacos, or one of the innovative salads. Be prepared for a wait at lunchtime or on weekend afternoons. The cocktails are good, too. There’s a take-out shop with a few seats down the street at 229 Elizabeth Street. | Average main: $14 | 17 Prince St., at Elizabeth St. , NoLIta | 212/625–2001 | www.cafehabana.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: 6 to Spring St.; N, R to Prince St.; J, Z to Bowery .

Cherche Midi.
$$$ | FRENCH | Restaurateur Keith McNally’s signature is restaurants that become perpetually “see and be seen” spots (cases in point: Odeon, Minetta Tavern, Balthazar, Schiller’s Liquor Bar, etc.). This French bistro opened in 2014 but fits in so well with the neighborhood that it seems like it’s been anchored on this corner for decades. The menu of classic French fare blends well with the rustic decor: as with most McNally restaurants, the culinary wheel is not being reinvented. Expect the classics—pan-roasted foie gras, steak tartare, steak frites, and lobster ravioli—executed very well. The wine list, French and Italian, includes ample amounts of affordable but delicious options. | Average main: $26 | 282 Bowery , NoLIta | 212/226–3055 | www.cherchemidiny.com | Station: 6 to Bleecker St.; B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.; F to 2nd Ave.

Emporio.
$$ | ITALIAN | The brick-lined front room of this homey Roman eatery in NoLIta is a gathering spot for early-evening happy hour at the bar, where you’ll find an appetizing selection of free small bites like frittata, white-bean salad, and ham-and-spinach tramezzini (finger sandwiches). The centerpiece of the large, skylighted back room is a wood-fired oven that turns out crisp, thin-crust pizzas topped with quality ingredients like prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella. Service is solicitous but not speedy, so you can linger over a bottle of wine from the copious selection. House-made pastas like garganelli with pork sausage and house ragù, and entrées like whole roasted fish with grilled lemon, are also excellent. | Average main: $23 | 231 Mott St., between Prince and Spring Sts. , NoLIta | 212/966–1234 | www.emporiony.com | Station: B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.; N, R to Prince St.; 6 to Bleecker St.

Fodor’s Choice | Estela.
$$$ | MEDITERRANEAN | Long before Mr. and Mrs. Obama ate dinner here in late 2014, this second-floor restaurant had been on the map for those in the know. Ignacio Mattos is the commander-in-chef, and his creations have a tendency to sneak up on the diner: Is that rye matzo bread under the mashed salt cod? And are those sunchoke chips folded into the sumptuous beef tartare? Are scallops and lardo a good paring on the plate? The answer is “yes” to all of the above. The wine list is compact yet sprinkled with some great off-the-radar European gems. The minimalist room is a fitting space for the deceptively simple cooking going on here. | Average main: $27 | 47 E. Houston St. , NoLIta | 212/219–7693 | www.estelanyc.com | No lunch weekdays | Reservations essential | Station: 6 to Bleecker St.; B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.

Gato.
$$ | MEDITERRANEAN | When an orange cat crossed celebrity-chef Bobby Flay’s path while he was waiting for the real estate agent to show him this space, he decided right then to call this restaurant Gato (Spanish for cat). And a sly cat it is. Despite the name, the menu goes beyond Spain to cover large culinary swaths of the Mediterranean. Sit at the bar and nosh on roasted octopus deliciously paired with bacon, garlic-bread-topped crab risotto, and Brussels sprouts sprinkled with pomegranates and pistachios. It all makes you feel like one lucky cat. | Average main: $21 | 324 Lafayette St. , NoLIta | 212/334–6400 | www.gatonyc.com | No lunch | Station: 6 to Bleecker St.; B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.

La Esquina.
$$ | MEXICAN | Anchoring a downtown corner under a bright neon sign, La Esquina looks like nothing more than a fast-food taquería, with cheap tacos sold to go until 2 in the morning. Just around the corner, though, is a modestly priced café serving those same tacos along with more ambitious fare like chiles rellenos (stuffed peppers) and carne asada (grilled meat). The real draw, however, is hidden from sight: the basement brasserie, like a Mexican speakeasy, is accessible by reservation only, through an unmarked door just inside the ground-floor taquería. Inside, discover a buzzy subterranean scene with pretty people drinking potent margaritas and dining on upscale Mexican fare. Prices downstairs are high, but portions are large. | Average main: $20 | 106 Kenmare, between Cleveland Pl. and Lafayette St. , NoLIta | 646/613–7100 | www.esquinanyc.com | Station: 6 to Spring St.

Lombardi’s Pizza.
$$ | PIZZA | Brick walls, red-and-white-checker tablecloths, and the aroma of thin-crust pies emerging from the coal oven set the mood for dining on some of the best pizza in Manhattan. Lombardi’s has served pizza since 1905 (though not in the same location), and business doesn’t seem to have died down one bit. The mozzarella is always fresh, resulting in a nearly greaseless slice, and the toppings, such as meatballs, pancetta, or imported anchovies, are also top quality. The clam pizza, with freshly shucked clams, garlic oil, pecorino-Romano cheese, and parsley, is well-known among aficionados. | Average main: $17 | 32 Spring St., at Mott St. , NoLIta | 212/941–7994 | www.firstpizza.com | Reservations not accepted | No credit cards | Station: 6 to Spring St.; J, Z to Bowery; N, R to Prince St.

Parm.
$ | ITALIAN | There’s more to this casual NoLIta eatery than the namesake Italian sandwich for which the budding chainlet is named. Founded by chefs Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone (who are behind other hits like Dirty French, Carbone, and Torrisi Italian Specialties, right next door), Parm’s menu also includes large Caesar salads, baked clams, and garlic bread. And, of course, there are variations on the eponymous sandwich, including eggplant, meatball, turkey, and chicken. Affordable bottles and glasses of wine invite you to stick around awhile. There are other locations in Battery Park City and on the Upper West Side. | Average main: $12 | 248 Mulberry St. , NoLIta | 212/993–7189 | www.parmnyc.com | Station: B, D, F, M to Broadway/Lafayette; N, R to Prince St.

Peasant.
$$$ | ITALIAN | The crowd at this rustic restaurant is stylishly urban. Inspired by the proverbial “peasant” cuisine where meals were prepared in the kitchen hearth, chef-owner Frank DeCarlo cooks all of his wonderful food in a bank of wood- or charcoal-burning ovens, from which the heady aroma of garlic perfumes the room. Don’t fill up on the crusty bread and fresh ricotta or you’ll miss out on flavorful Italian fare like sizzling sardines that arrive in terra-cotta pots, or spit-roasted leg of lamb with bitter trevisano lettuce and polenta. | Average main: $25 | 194 Elizabeth St., between Spring and Prince Sts. , NoLIta | 212/965–9511 | www.peasantnyc.com | Closed Mon. No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: 6 to Spring St.; J, Z to Bowery; N, R to Prince St.

Public.
$$$ | ECLECTIC | To start with, the space here is complex and sophisticated, with soaring ceilings and whitewashed brick walls, skylights, fireplaces, three dining areas, and a vast bar. You’ve come for the food, though, and you won’t be disappointed. The menu flaunts its nonconformity, and dishes, like the Australian barramundi fish, served with vanilla-celeriac puree and braised garlic greens, demonstrate a light yet adventurous touch. Brunch at Public is a local favorite, with exotic selections like coconut pancakes topped with fresh ricotta, mango, and lime syrup, and a juicy venison burger. Standout desserts include a chocolate mousse with tahini ice cream and sesame candy. | Average main: $26 | 210 Elizabeth St., between Prince and Spring Sts. , NoLIta | 212/343–7011 | www.public-nyc.com | Closed Mon. | Station: 6 to Spring St.; N, R to Prince St.; J, Z to Bowery .

Rubirosa.
$$ | ITALIAN | Named for a jet-setting Dominican playboy, this Rubirosa is only Latin and lascivious in name. Locals have shown an insatiable appetite for this exciting Italian-American eatery, so be prepared to wait for a table. The kitchen isn’t trying to reinvent anything here; it simply serves high-quality classic Italian dishes, from pasta with red sauce or a fork-tender veal chop Milanese to the thin-crust pizza (the recipe for the latter comes from the late owner’s parents, who have run the popular Staten Island pizza joint, Joe & Pat’s, since anyone can remember). You don’t have to be a jet-setter or a playboy to love this place. Just come hungry. | Average main: $19 | 235 Mulberry St., between Prince and Spring Sts. , NoLIta | 212/965–0500 | www.rubirosanyc.com | No credit cards | Station: 6 to Spring St.; N, R to Prince St.

The Smile.
$$ | AMERICAN | Subterranean and almost hidden, the Smile turns frowns upside down, if you like hipsters and celebrities, and, most especially, hipster celebrities. Lounge among the fashion-conscious clientele (who are trying oh-so-hard to not look that way) and munch on breakfast-y items (served until 4:30 pm) like chunky granola, or go for one of the giant sandwiches, or spaghetti with heirloom-tomato sauce. Dinner options, like whole trout, brisket, hanger steak, or roasted chicken, are more ambitious. Just be sure you wear shoes that scream “this season.”|Average main: $16 | 26 Bond St., between Lafayette St. and the Bowery , NoLIta | 646/329–5836 | www.thesmilenyc.com | Station: B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.; 6 to Bleecker St.

Uncle Boon’s.
$$ | THAI | If you’re looking for quality Thai in Manhattan, a good choice is Uncle Boon’s in NoLIta. The chefs are a husband-and-wife team who originally met in the kitchen at Michelin-starred Per Se. You won’t find evidence of über-haute cuisine here, but the simple, tasty Thai fare is very good. Skip the green papaya salad—usually a must, but somehow bland here—and go right for hearty entrées, such as the khao soi, an ultra-tender chicken leg doused in a deliciously tangy yellow curry, or anything that’s grilled. | Average main: $23 | 7 Spring St., near Elizabeth St. , NoLIta | 646/370–6650 | www.uncleboons.com | No credit cards | Station: J, Z to Bowery; 6 to Spring St.

Chinatown

Chinatown beckons adventurous diners with restaurants representing numerous regional cuisines of China, including Cantonese, Sichuan, Hunan, Fujian, Shanghai, and Hong Kong–style cooking. Malaysian and Vietnamese restaurants also have taken root here, and the neighborhood continues to grow rapidly, encroaching into what was Little Italy.

456 Shanghai Cuisine.
$$ | CHINESE | Come to this Chinatown eatery for above-average Chinese fare, such as General Tso’s chicken, pork buns, and cold sesame noodles, but do yourself a favor and order soup dumplings (xiao long bao ) as soon as you sit down. You won’t regret it. The dumplings, doughy and thin on the outside, encase morsels of crab swimming in a bold porky broth, truly a wonder of the culinary world—and 456 does them as well as (or better than) anyone in the city. | Average main: $14 | 69 Mott St., between Canal and Bayard Sts. , Chinatown | 212/964–0003 | No credit cards | Station: 6, J, N, Q, R, Z to Canal St.

Great New York Noodletown.
$ | CHINESE | Although the soups and noodles are unbeatable at this no-frills restaurant, what you should really order are the window decorations—the hanging lacquered ducks and roasted pork, listed on a simple board hung on the wall and superbly served with pungent garlic-and-ginger sauce on the side. Seasonal specialties like duck with flowering chives and salt-baked soft-shell crabs are excellent. So is the congee, or rice porridge, available with any number of garnishes. Solo diners may end up at a communal table. Noodletown is open late—till 4 am on Friday and Saturday. | Average main: $11 | 28 Bowery, at Bayard St. , Chinatown | 212/349–0923 | www.greatnynoodletown.com | No credit cards | Station: 6, J, N, Q, R, Z to Canal St.; B, D to Grand St.; F to East Broadway .

Jing Fong.
$$ | CHINESE | On weekend mornings people pack this vast dim sum palace, so be prepared to wait. Once your number is called, take the escalator up to the carnivalesque third-floor dining room, where servers push carts crammed with tasty goodness. Expect to be plied with delights like steamed dumplings, crispy spring rolls, barbecue pork buns, and shrimp balls. For adventurous eaters, there’s chicken feet, tripe, and snails. Arrive early for the best selection, and save room for mango pudding. | Average main: $16 | 20 Elizabeth St., 2nd fl., between Bayard and Canal Sts. , Chinatown | 212/964–5256 | www.jingfongny.com | Station: 6, J, N, Q, R, Z to Canal St.; B, D to Grand St.

Joe’s Shanghai.
$$ | CHINESE | Joe opened his first Shanghai restaurant in Queens in 1995, but buoyed by the accolades showered on his steamed soup dumplings—filled with a rich, fragrant broth and ground pork or a pork-crabmeat mixture—several Manhattan outposts soon followed. The trick is to take a bite of the dumpling and slurp out the soup, then eat the rest. There’s almost always a wait, but the line moves fast. The soup dumplings are a must, but you can fill out your order from the extensive menu. There’s another Joe’s Shanghai in Midtown, at 24 West 56th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues (where credit cards are accepted). | Average main: $16 | 9 Pell St., between the Bowery and Mott St. , Chinatown | 212/233–8888 | www.joeshanghairestaurants.com | No credit cards | Station: 6, J, N, Q, R, Z to Canal St.; B, D to Grand St.

Fodor’s Choice | Mission Chinese Food.
$$ | CHINESE | When Oklahoma-born hipster chef Danny Bowien imported his wildly popular Sichuan spot from San Francisco’s Mission District to lower Manhattan, an instant classic was born. Celebrities, food writers, and foodies alike gravitate to Mission Chinese nightly for Bowien’s not-necessarily-authentic take on Sichuan cuisine. Kung pao pastrami? Thrice-cooked bacon? Who cares if you can’t find these dishes in mainland China when they taste this amazing. Sip on a signature cocktail—first-timers should initiate themselves with the gin-and-coconut-spiked Phil Khallins—while eating your way through tender pork jowl, fried chicken (served like Hainanese chicken rice you can find at Hawker Centres in Singapore), and fall-off-the-bone cumin ribs. Irony has never tasted this good. | Average main: $20 | 171 E. Broadway , Chinatown | 212/746–2986 | www.mcfny.com | No lunch | Reservations not accepted | Station: F to East Broadway .

New Malaysia.
$$ | MALAYSIAN | This Malaysian restaurant is a real find. Literally. You could stroll right by it and never know it existed. That’s because it’s in a passageway between the Bowery and Elizabeth Street. It’s worth the trouble, though, as the menu is loaded with Malaysian favorites like roti flatbread with curry and delicious red-bean and coconut-milk drinks. The atmosphere is casual and table service is relaxed, which means you might need to flag down your server. | Average main: $14 | 48 Bowery, near Canal St. , Chinatown | 212/964–0284 | www.newmalaysiarestaurant.com | Station: 6, J, N, Q, R, Z to Canal St.; B, D to Grand St.

Peking Duck House.
$$ | CHINESE | This Chinatown institution is the place to go in New York for authentic Peking duck. Although the restaurant serves a full Chinese menu, everyone—and we mean everyone—orders the duck. Begin, as most tables do, with an order of Shanghai soup dumplings, then move on to the bird. It’s carved table-side with plenty of fanfare—crisp burnished skin separated from moist flesh. Roll up the duck, with hoisin and scallions, in tender steamed pancakes. The menu at the Midtown location (236 E. 53rd Street) is a bit pricier. | Average main: $20 | 28 Mott St., at Mosco St. , Chinatown | 212/227–1810 | www.pekingduckhousenyc.com | Station: 6, J, N, Q, R, Z to Canal St.; B, D to Grand St.

Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles.
$ | CHINESE | The name says it all. The open kitchen at this salt-of-the-earth Chinatown restaurant (located on charming, curved Doyers Street) means you can watch the noodle-slinger in action while awaiting your bowl of, um, tasty hand-pulled noodles. Just choose your ingredients—beef, pork, oxtail, eel, chicken, lamb, or shrimp, among others—and prepare to eat the most delicious bowl of $6 noodles since that last trip to Shanghai. The restaurant is small so be prepared to possibly share a table with a fellow noodle slurper. | Average main: $6 | 1 Doyers St., at Bowery , Chinatown | 212/791–1817 | www.tastyhandpullednoodles.com | No credit cards | Station: 6, J, N, Q, R, Z to Canal St.; B, D to Grand St.

Vanessa’s Dumpling House.
$ | CHINESE | One of the best deals in Chinatown can be found here. Sizzling pork-and-chive dumplings are four for a buck. There are also vegetarian options. The restaurant is very casual: order at the counter and then grab a table, if you can find one. Vanessa’s is especially popular with Lower East Side revelers looking to pad their stomachs before the night’s debauchery. | Average main: $8 | 118 Eldridge St., near Broome St. , Chinatown | 212/625–8008 | www.vanessasdumplinghouse.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: B, D to Grand St.

Xe Lua.
$ | VIETNAMESE | A good Vietnamese restaurant in Manhattan is hard to find, which is why you should seek out Xe Lua, in Chinatown just below Little Italy. Quick service and the marathon-length menu should satisfy any palate, but the real standouts are the clay-pot dishes: cooked and served in—you guessed it—a clay pot, the pork, chicken, veggies, or whatever you order become slightly caramelized, giving a subtle sweetness to the dish. The pho (the soupy national dish of Vietnam) is also a good bet, as the broth has a bolder flavor here than at other places. | Average main: $11 | 86 Mulberry St., between Canal and Bayard Sts. , Chinatown | 212/577–8887 | www.xeluarestaurantnyc.com | No credit cards | Station: 6, J, N, Q, R, Z to Canal St.; B, D to Grand St.

Xi’an Famous Foods.
$ | CHINESE | Serving the very underrepresented cuisine of western China, Xi’an Famous Foods serves food like you might not have tasted before. The restaurant first made a name for itself at its original location, in the dingy basement food court of a mall in Flushing, Queens, but this spot—shinier, brighter, and cleaner—serves the same exciting fare. First-timers should try the spicy cumin lamb burger, which is mouthwateringly delicious. Some of the dishes challenge the bounds of adventurousness in eating (lamb offal soup, anyone?), but don’t let that scare you off. It’s cheap enough to experiment, so tuck into that bowl of oxtail noodle soup and enjoy. | Average main: $10 | 67 Bayard St., between Mott and Elizabeth Sts. , Chinatown | 212/608–4170 | www.xianfoods.com | No credit cards | Station: 6, J, N, Q, R, Z to Canal St.; B, D to Grand St.

XO Kitchen.
$ | CHINESE | Chinese students throng this Hong Kong–style eatery where the walls resemble bulletin boards—they’re tacked with dozens of sheets announcing a mind-boggling variety of foods, from dim sum to Thai (you can also ask for a menu). Dishes emerge from the kitchen seemingly at the speed of light. The food, which ranges from the exotic (sautéed frog with ginger and scallion) to the comforting (delicate shrimp wonton soup), is some of Chinatown’s finest. | Average main: $10 | 148 Hester St., between Elizabeth St. and Bowery , Chinatown | 212/965–8645 | www.xokitchen.com | No credit cards | Station: 6, J, Z, N, Q, R to Canal St.; B, D to Grand St.

Getting Caffeinated in NYC

There might be a chain coffee shop on every corner in New York City, but you won’t find many locals there. The so-called “city that never sleeps” is fueled with coffee, but not just any coffee. We’re a bit particular, some might say downright snobbish, about coffee, so—even if we’re in a rush, which, of course, we are—we’ll wait those few extra minutes for the best freshly roasted beans and pour-over brews. If you want to join discerning locals, look for outposts of Blue Bottle Coffee, Everyman Espresso, Joe Coffee, La Colombe, Ninth Street Espresso (which has locations other than 9th Street), Stumptown, and Third Rail Coffee all over Manhattan (and Brooklyn). Most spots offer the added bonus of homemade baked goods, and some also have light snacks, but don’t expect that it’ll be easy to find a seat.

NYC Restaurant Chains Worth a Taste

When you’re on the go or don’t have time for a leisurely meal, there are several very good chain restaurants and sandwich bars that have popped up around New York City. Those listed below are usually reasonably priced and the best in their category.

Dos Toros. Fresh and inexpensive tacos, burritos, and salads are the calling card at this local minichain with several locations in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn. The brothers who run the joint moved to NYC from San Francisco and were disappointed with the taquería options here, so they took matters into their own hands. Order at the counter and grab a seat. | www.dostoros.com .

Le Pain Quotidien. Part bakery, part café, this Belgian chain with locations throughout the city serves fresh salads and sandwiches at lunch and is great for breakfast. You can grab a snack to go or stay and eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner with waiter service. There are more than 20 locations throughout Manhattan, including one in Central Park. | www.lepainquotidien.com .

Pret A Manger. This sandwich shop started in London in 1986 and opened its first American outpost in 2000. These days you can find one in various locations around NYC—there are several in Midtown, catering to the bustling lunch crowds. The sandwiches are excellent, and the salads are good, too. | www.pret.com .

Shake Shack. This homegrown chain has expanded across the United States and beyond, but it got its start in Madison Square Park. There are multiple locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn to enjoy burgers, hot dogs, and shakes. | www.shakeshack.com .

‘wichcraft. Tom Colicchio may be best known these days as head judge of Bravo’s Top Chef, but his fine-dining restaurants Craft and Craftbar are also well-known around Manhattan and beyond. At ‘wichcraft, the sandwich shop he started with several partners back in 2003, the creations have his deliciously distinctive touch. | www.wichcraftnyc.com .

East Village and Lower East Side

East Village

This neighborhood, once a grungy ghetto for punk rockers and drug addicts, has gotten itself into shape, with great restaurants on every block—from amazing, inexpensive Asian spots to Michelin-starred destinations. St. Mark’s Place is the center of New York’s downtown Little Tokyo, and East 6th Street is its Indian Row.

Artichoke Pizza.
$ | PIZZA | Grab a gargantuan slice at this popular take-out joint, or order whole pies in the small, adjacent no-frills dining room. In the wee hours, lines often snake out the door for the artichoke-spinach slice, which tastes like cheesy dip on thick, crusty crackers. Those in the know opt for the less greasy margherita slice. Make sure you’re hungry, and be prepared to stand in line awhile. For shorter lines, stop into the Greenwich Village location at 111 MacDougal Street. Or try the more formal Artichoke outpost underneath the High Line at 114 10th Avenue. | Average main: $5 | 328 E. 14th St., between 1st and 2nd Aves. , East Village | 212/228–2004 | www.artichokepizza.com | No credit cards | Reservations not accepted | Station: L to 1st Ave.

Cafe Mogador.
$$ | MOROCCAN | An East Village dining institution if there ever was one, Cafe Mogador is a frequent stop for locals and, for some, a hip place to be seen. Since 1983, the restaurant has been serving above-average Moroccan cuisine in a date-friendly, candlelit atmosphere. Finish off that creamy hummus before the chicken tagine arrives, nurse that glass of Italian wine, and ponder the fact that most of the people around you were barely walking when this family-run restaurant first fired up its couscous-cooking burners. | Average main: $16 | 101 St. Marks Pl., near 2nd Ave. , East Village | 212/677–2226 | www.cafemogador.com | No credit cards | Station: L to 1st Ave.

Crif Dogs.
$ | FAST FOOD | Gluttony reigns at Crif Dogs, where you can indulge in creative—and delicious—hot dog creations. Try the Chihuahua, bacon wrapped and layered with avocado and sour cream, or the Tsunami, bacon wrapped with pineapple and teriyaki. (There are vegetarian dogs, too.) The tater tots banish all memories of the high school cafeteria. And that phone booth in the corner? Use that to enter secret, chic cocktail bar PDT (where there are more hot dogs available to pair with craft cocktails). | Average main: $6 | 113 St. Marks Pl., at Ave. A , East Village | 212/614–2728 | www.crifdogs.com | Station: L to 1st Ave.

DBGB Kitchen & Bar.
$$$ | FRENCH | The downtown arm of Daniel Boulud’s New York City restaurant fleet, DBGB forgoes the white tablecloths, formal service, and steep prices found at the famed chef’s fancier digs, and instead pays homage to the grittier, younger feel of its Lower East Side location. (The name is a wink at the legendary rock club CBGB.) Lined with shelves of pots, plates, and pans (not to mention copperware donated by renowned chefs from around the world), the dining room gives way to a partially open kitchen where you can catch the chefs preparing Boulud’s take on French- and German-inspired pub fare. The menu features a handful of different varieties of sausages, decadent burgers (including the aptly named “piggy” burger, a juicy beef patty topped with a generous portion of pulled pork, jalapeño mayonnaise, and mustard-vinegar slaw on a cheddar bun), and classic entrées like steak frites and lemon-and-rosemary roasted chicken. | Average main: $28 | 299 Bowery, between Houston and 1st Sts. , East Village | 212/933–5300 | www.dbgb.com | Reservations essential | Station: F to 2nd Ave.

Fodor’s Choice | Edi & the Wolf.
$$ | AUSTRIAN | For those who have always wanted to spend an evening in a countryside Austrian pub—and who hasn’t?—but can’t hop on a plane to Vienna, there’s Edi & the Wolf, an outstanding restaurant deep in the section of the East Village called Alphabet City. The rustic interior (usually crammed with stylish thirtysomethings) is the perfect venue to sample dishes like honey-and-beer-accented ribs, pork-belly-laced poached eggs, and, of course, Wiener schnitzel, which is supertender and refreshingly free of grease. The well-curated beer selection focuses on Central Europe. Try the dark Czech brew, Krusovice (pronounced Kroo-sho-veetzay) | Average main: $22 | 102 Ave. C, at 7th St. , East Village | 212/598–1040 | www.ediandthewolf.com | No lunch weekdays | Station: F to 2nd Ave., L to 1st Ave.

Gemma.
$$ | ITALIAN | There’s something almost formulaic about this restaurant on the ground floor of the hip Bowery Hotel: from the rustic, wood-bedecked interior to the see-and-be-seen crowd who frequent the place and the menu of above-average Italian staples (from pizza to pastas and heartier mains). But the food here is good, the service is attentive, and nabbing an outside table may make you feel cooler than you are for a couple of hours, so what difference does it make? Answer: no difference, until it’s time to pay the bill. Weekend brunch is also a good bet. | Average main: $21 | 335 Bowery , at 3rd St. , East Village | 212/505–9100 | www.theboweryhotel.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: F to 2nd Ave., 6 to Bleecker St.

Gnocco.
$$ | ITALIAN | Owners Pierluigi Palazzo and Gianluca Giovannetti named their restaurant not after gnocchi but a regional Italian specialty—deep-fried dough bites typically served with northern Italian sliced meats like capicola, salami, and aged prosciutto. The gnocchi are certainly good, but the menu has so many other options you’ll be forgiven if you skip them in favor of the house-made pasta specials; pizza topped with mozzarella, truffles, and mushrooms; hearty entrées like pork tenderloin in a balsamic emulsion with flakes of Grana Padano cheese; and salads—preferably all enjoyed in the roomy, canopied garden out back. | Average main: $20 | 337 E. 10th St., between Aves. A and B , East Village | 212/677–1913 | www.gnocco.com | Station: L to 1st Ave., 6 to Astor Pl.

Grand Sichuan.
$$ | CHINESE | Yes, it’s a local Chinese chainlet, and no, you don’t come here for the ambience, but the food—like fiery Sichuan dan dan noodles, kung pao chicken, double-cooked pork, or crab soup dumplings—is good and inexpensive. | Average main: $18 | 19–23 St. Marks Pl., near 3rd Ave. , East Village | 212/529–4800 | www.grandsichuanstmarks.com | Station: 6 to Astor Pl.

Hecho en Dumbo.
$$ | MEXICAN | “Made in Dumbo”—referring to the restaurant’s former location in Brooklyn—specializes in antojitos, or “little cravings.” The result is something equivalent to Mexican comfort food for the hip thirtysomethings who frequent this restaurant on the Bowery. Variations on the taco theme may dominate the menu, but Hecho shines with house dishes like Berkshire pork shank and roasted scallops paired with bone marrow salsa. Pair your meal with one of the delicious margaritas (no bottled mix used here), sangria, or perhaps a michelada —beer and tomato juice on ice with lime and a salted rim. | Average main: $17 | 354 Bowery, between Great Jones and 4th Sts. , East Village | 212/937–4245 | www.hechoendumbo.com | No credit cards | Station: 6 to Astor Pl.; N, R to 8th St.–NYU .

Il Buco.
$$$ | ITALIAN | The unabashed clutter of vintage kitchen gadgets and tableware harks back to Il Buco’s past as an antiques store and affects a romantic country-house feel with excellent food—this is a favorite for a cozy, intimate meal. The menu focuses on meat and produce from local farms, with several excellent pasta choices, and a variety of Mediterranean tapas-like appetizers. Call ahead to book the intimate wine cellar for dinner. Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria, around the corner at 53 Great Jones Street, is a more casual setting, with a small market up front selling gourmet cheese and house-cured meats, and a wine bar in the back. | Average main: $28 | 47 Bond St., between the Bowery and Lafayette St. , East Village | 212/533–1932 | www.ilbuco.com | No lunch Sun. | Station: 6 to Bleecker St.; B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.

Ippudo.
$$ | JAPANESE | Crowds wait hours for the ramen noodles at Ippudo, the first American branch of the Japanese chain. Loyal patrons say it’s all about the rich, pork-based broth—there is a vegetarian version available but it lacks the depth of flavor. Those really in the know, though, make sure to order sleeper-hit appetizers like the peppery chicken wings or pork buns. It’s not a hole-in-the-wall ramen spot, so although a meal here is relatively inexpensive, it’s not dirt cheap. There’s a newer Ippudo outpost in Midtown at 321 West 51st Street. | Average main: $16 | 65 4th Ave., between 9th and 10th Sts. , East Village | 212/388–0088 | www.ippudony.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: 6 to Astor Pl.; N, R to 8th St.–NYU .

Jewel Bako.
$$$$ | JAPANESE | Arguably the best sushi restaurant in the East Village, this tiny space gleams in a minefield of cheap, often inferior sushi houses. The futuristic bamboo tunnel of a dining room is gorgeous, but try to nab a place at the sushi bar and put yourself in the hands of sushi master Yoshi Kousaka. The five-course omakase, or chef’s menu, starts at $125. (A less expensive sushi or sashimi omakase is $75.) You are served only what’s freshest and best. | Average main: $50 | 239 E. 5th St., between 2nd and 3rd Aves. , East Village | 212/979–1012 | www.jewelbakosushi.com | Closed Sun. No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: 6 to Astor Pl.; N, R to 8th St.–NYU .

Lafayette Grand Cafe & Bakery.
$$$ | FRENCH | Food-media darling, chef Andrew Carmellini (of Locanda Verde, Bar Primi, and the Dutch) goes Gallic here. After nearly a decade of Italian dominance on the Big Apple restaurant scene, French is back in vogue again, and Lafayette is a return to Carmellini’s roots: the kitchens of his mentor, the great Daniel Boulud. There’s no culinary trickery happening here, just straightforward and very satisfying bistro fare. Creamy duck-confit-spiked pumpkin risotto, a silky beef tartare, and steak frites are all excellent. So is the people-watching at this hip spot. | Average main: $25 | 380 Lafayette St., at Great Jones St. , East Village | 212/533–3000 | www.lafayetteny.com | Station: 6 to Bleecker St.; B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.; N, R to 8th St.–NYU .

Mamoun’s Falafel.
$ | MIDDLE EASTERN | This hole-in-the-wall institution, bustling day and night, is the place to go for speedy, hot, supercheap, and delicious Middle Eastern food. Tahini-topped pitas are packed with fresh, green-on-the-inside falafel balls. Be warned: the hot sauce is incendiary. The small space has a few tables, but this is food you can easily eat on the go. Best of all, it’s open every night until at least 4 am. The original Mamoun’s is still at 119 MacDougal Street, near Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. | Average main: $7 | 22 St. Marks Pl., between 2nd and 3rd Aves. , East Village | 212/387–7747 | www.mamouns.com | Reservations not accepted | No credit cards | Station: 6 to Astor Pl.; N, R to 8th St.–NYU .

Mile End.
$ | DELI | Named for a neighborhood in Montreal where the city’s famed bagel bakeries exist, Mile End has became one of the darlings of the city’s fooderati since it opened in Brooklyn several years ago. By the time this Manhattan location began rolling out its light, chewy, and slightly sweet Montreal bagels, the place was already an institution. The bagels are authentic, but the real reason to come here is for the impressive deli fare, including pastrami, roast beef, and smoked-meat sandwiches. The poutine—french fries with cheese curds and gravy—is a delicious mess. Once standing-room only, there’s now seating in the long, narrow room, as well as dinner service. Dinner is also served at the original Brooklyn location in Boerum Hill, at 97A Hoyt Street. | Average main: $10 | 53 Bond St., near the Bowery , East Village | 212/529–2990 | www.mileenddeli.com | No credit cards | No dinner Sun. and Mon. | Station: 6 to Bleecker St.; B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.

Minca.
$$ | JAPANESE | It may have received less fanfare than some other East Village noodle bars, but the ramen at this tiny, cramped spot is among the best in the city; the fact that visiting Japanese students eat here is a good sign. Try to get a seat at the bar, where you can watch the chefs prepare your food. Start with homemade gyoza dumplings, then dive your spoon and chopsticks into one of the many types of ramen. The shoyu (soy sauce) Minca ramen is unfailingly good, but anything with pork is also a good bet. | Average main: $14 | 536 E. 5th St., between Aves. A and B , East Village | 212/505–8001 | www.newyorkramen.com | Reservations not accepted | No credit cards | Station: F to 2nd Ave.

Fodor’s Choice | Momofuku Ko.
$$$$ | ASIAN | After a move to this quaint alleyway near where the Bowery and 1st Street meet, Momofuku Ko is still firing on all cylinders. At James Beard Award–winning chef David Chang’s most formal dining option, diners sit at the bar to see Ko’s chefs in action or opt for a standalone table. The menu is prix-fixe only: 20 courses for $195. And it’s worth it for the complex flavor strata that Chang builds. Reservations can be made online only, no more than 15 days ahead for dinner, and are extremely difficult to get. Log on at 10 am (a credit card number is required just to get into the system), when new reservations are available, and keep hitting reload. | Average main: $100 | 8 Extra Pl., at 1st St. , East Village | 212/203–095 | www.momofuku.com | Closed Mon. No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: F to 2nd Ave.

Momofuku Milk Bar.
$ | CAFÉ | This combination bakery, ice-cream parlor, and sandwich shop boasts quick-serve access to chef David Chang’s cultish pork buns, along with some truly psychedelic treats by pastry whiz Christina Tosi. Swing by for a kimchi croissant and glass of “cereal” milk, or for treats like the curiously flavored soft-serve ice cream (cereal milk, lemon verbena), “candy bar pie” (a sweet bomb of caramel, peanut-butter nougat, and pretzels atop a chocolate-cookie crust), one of the addictive cookies (try the “compost” cookies, with pretzels, chocolate chips, and whatever inspires the bakers that day), or any of the intriguing savories (the “volcano” is a cheese-and-potato pastry that is impossible to eat daintily). | Average main: $7 | 251 E. 13th St. , East Village | 347/577–9504 | www.milkbarstore.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: L to 3rd Ave.

Fodor’s Choice | Momofuku Noodle Bar.
$$ | ASIAN | Chef and owner David Chang has created a shrine to ramen with this stylish 70-seat restaurant. His riff on the Japanese classic features haute ingredients like Berkshire pork, free-range chicken, and organic produce—though there are plenty of other innovative options on the menu. His modern take on pork buns with cucumber and scallions is phenomenal—alone worth the trip. You’ll probably have to wait if you go at regular meal times, but seats at the long counter open up fairly quickly, and the lively atmosphere is part of the fun. The excellent fried-chicken meal includes both triple-fried Korean-style and Old Bay Southern-style chicken with a variety of accoutrements, and feeds four to eight people (available by special reservations only on the website). | Average main: $17 | 171 1st Ave., between 10th and 11th Sts. , East Village | 212/777–7773 | www.momofuku.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: L to 1st Ave.

Momofuku Ssäm Bar.
$$ | ASIAN | New York foodies have been salivating over chef David Chang’s Asian-influenced fare since he opened Noodle Bar in 2004. Ssäm Bar, with a more extensive menu, is equally worth the raves. The restaurant is packed nightly with downtown diners cut from the same cloth as the pierced and tattooed waitstaff and cooks. The no-reservations policy (except for large parties or special dinners) means having to wait in line for a chance to try Chang’s truly inventive flavor combinations. The menu is constantly changing but the not-to-be-missed riff on the classic Chinese steamed pork bun is almost always available. Have a nightcap at Chang’s inventive cocktail bar, Booker & Dax, around the corner. | Average main: $24 | 207 2nd Ave., at 13th St. , East Village | 212/254–3500 | www.momofuku.com/ssam | Station: L to 1st Ave.

Motorino Pizza.
$$ | PIZZA | The Manhattan branch of the Williamsburg original has brought its impossibly high standards—and long lines—to a new borough. The authentic Neapolitan pies are made with glutinous, dough-friendly double-zero flour and San Marzano tomatoes, and the crusts are lightly charred. You can’t go wrong with any of the signature traditional pizzas, like marinara; margherita with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil; or a pie with spicy sopressata, sausage, and garlic; but the seasonal selections are also tempting. Check out the brunch pizza (with egg and pancetta) on weekends. Antipasti like octopus and fingerling potato salad with celery-chili oil, and cockle-clam crostini round out the menu. The weekday lunchtime prix-fixe means pizza and salad is a bargain at $14 per person. | Average main: $17 | 349 E. 12th St., at 1st Ave. , East Village | 212/777–2644 | www.motorinopizza.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: L to 1st Ave.

Nai Tapas Bar.
$$ | TAPAS | At this eclectic tapas joint, chef Ruben Rodriguez puts his own modern spin on Galician recipes from his mother and grandmother (his Spanish-born mother actually has her own competing tapas restaurant in New Jersey). More traditional tapas like shrimp in garlic sauce, sliced Iberico ham, and patatas bravas are found on the menu alongside spherified olives, marinated baby back ribs, and brussel sprouts with diced pork belly. The menu is always evolving, and on Thursday and Saturday nights, you can catch live flamenco shows. A nice selection of Spanish wines, craft beers, and sangria is available. | Average main: $20 | 174 1st Ave., between 10th and 11th Sts. , East Village | 212/677-1030 | www.naitapas.nyc | No lunch weekdays | Station: L to 1st Ave.

Porchetta.
$ | ITALIAN | Super-succulent Italian roast pork—dusted in fennel pollen and covered in crisp cracklin’ skin—is the star attraction here. It is, in fact, just about the only thing on the menu of this tiny spot. Order your pork in a sandwich or as a platter with stewed greens and roasted potatoes. There’s not much room for dining on-site, but the benches out front are ideal when the weather cooperates. | Average main: $11 | 110 E. 7th St., near 1st Ave. , East Village | 212/777–2151 | www.porchettanyc.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: 6 to Astor Pl.; L to 1st Ave.

Prune.
$$ | AMERICAN | There’s just something very right-on about the food at Prune, a cozy treasure of a restaurant serving eclectic, well-executed American food from cult chef Gabrielle Hamilton. The choices change with the season, but you might find braised rabbit legs in vinegar sauce, whole grilled fish with fennel oil and chunky sea salt, or roasted marrow bones with parsley salad and toast points. If they’re on the menu, try the pillowy fried sweetbreads. There’s usually a wait, and quarters are very cramped, so don’t expect to feel comfortable lingering at your rickety wooden table. Desserts, like ricotta ice cream with salted-caramel croutons, are irresistible, and on weekends lines form early for the restaurant’s deservedly popular brunch. | Average main: $22 | 54 E. 1st St., between 1st and 2nd Aves. , East Village | 212/677–6221 | www.prunerestaurant.com | Reservations essential | Station: F to 2nd Ave.

Pylos.
$$$ | GREEK | The perfect setting for a relaxed dinner or an intimate special occasion, this tastefully refined, light-filled East Village restaurant emphasizes rustic cooking from all over Greece. There are delicious versions of hearty comfort-food dishes like pastitsio and moussaka on the menu, but the lighter dishes—especially fish—let the flavors shine through. There is an extensive selection of interesting hot and cold mezes—start with the traditional trio of tzatziki, taramosalata (lemony fish roe dip), and melitzanosalata (an eggplant-based dip) and explore from there. Accompany your meal with some vino from the all-Greek wine list; the light white Atlantis wine from the island of Santorini is particularly enjoyable, and affordable. | Average main: $26 | 128 E. 7th St., near Ave. A , East Village | 212/473–0220 | www.pylosrestaurant.com | No lunch Mon. and Tues. | Station: F to 2nd Ave.; L to 1st Ave.

Fodor’s Choice | Saxon & Parole.
$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | One of the hottest spots on this burgeoning stretch of the Bowery, this eatery may be named for two 19th-century racehorses, but the food—and the extremely good-looking crowd—is nothing you’d find in a barnyard. Settle into this cozy, sceney spot, order a cocktail, and peruse a menu loaded with the Zeitgeist dishes of New York dining: roasted bone marrow, Brussels sprouts, pork belly, chicken-liver mousse, and, of course, an overpriced but excellent burger. The kitchen executes it all to complete deliciousness. The bar scene is lively, so come early for a cocktail. | Average main: $23 | 316 Bowery, at Bleecker St. , East Village | 212/254–0350 | www.saxonandparole.com | No lunch | Station: B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.; 6 to Bleecker St.; F to 2nd Ave.

Somtum Der.
$$ | THAI | Once upon a time, New Yorkers had to venture to Queens to get good Thai food, but that’s no longer the case. Not only have a handful of great Thai restaurants opened in Manhattan in recent years, but many of them hail from Isaan, a region in northeast Thailand that emphasizes light, spicy fare. Somtum Der, originally based in Bangkok, is one of the best. Start with the namesake somtum , a palate-singeing green papaya salad, before moving on to the larb moo, a mound of minced pork mixed with veggies and chilies. Also worth trying is the fried chicken, which makes you question the Southern United States’ monopoly on crispy bird. The restaurant is small and can get quite noisy. | Average main: $15 | 85 Ave. A , East Village | 212/260–8570 | www.somtumder.com | No credit cards | Station: F to 2nd Ave.; L to 1st Ave.

Veniero’s Pasticceria.
$ | CAFÉ | Since 1894, this bustling bakery-café has sold every kind of Italian dolce (sweet), from cherry-topped cookies to creamy cannoli and flaky sfogliatelle (shell-shape, filled pastry). Cheesecake lovers rejoice in Veniero’s ricotta-based version. In all, a hungry visitor with a serious sweet tooth can choose from more than 150 different types of desserts. A wine license means you can top off your evening with a bottle of red. Veniero’s is worth a look—check out the pressed-tin ceiling, marble floors, and stained glass—even if you’re not hungry. | Average main: $5 | 342 E. 11th St., near 1st Ave. , East Village | 212/674–7070 | www.venierospastry.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: 6 to Astor Pl.; L to 1st Ave.

Veselka.
$ | EASTERN EUROPEAN | Potato pierogi are available 24 hours a day at this East Village stalwart, which opened in 1954. The name means “rainbow” in Ukrainian. The authentic Ukrainian-slash-diner food is the perfect stick-to-your-ribs ending to a night on the town—or beginning to a new day, as the restaurant serves a full array of breakfast staples. It’s a neighborhood experience, with tables of families sharing space with the hipsters. The spacious, sunny interior, with giant wall paintings to please the eye, is great for people-watching; don’t take the servers’ studied indifference personally. | Average main: $12 | 144 2nd Ave., at 9th St. , East Village | 212/228–9682 | www.veselka.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: 6 to Astor Pl.; N, R to 8th St.–NYU; L to 1st Ave.

Zum Schneider.
$$ | GERMAN | Located in Alphabet City, this garrulous Teutonic spot teaches the ABCs of beer drinking and hearty eating. Grab a table outside when the weather’s nice, among the young hipsters who frequent the spot, and get ready for some kraut-laden fun. After quaffing a liter-size stein of the sudsy stuff, you may crave food, and the menu, naturally, is a veritable sausage-palooza. In addition to the usual meaty fare, such as Wiener schnitzel and goulash, there are, well, more sausages. The crispy potato pancakes are a good bet, too. | Average main: $16 | 107 Ave. C, at 7th St. , East Village | 212/598–1098 | www.zumschneider.com | No lunch | Station: L to 1st Ave.; F to 2nd Ave.

Lower East Side

The Lower East Side, home to generations of immigrant newcomers, has become quite the culinary hub over the last 15 years, with everything from molecular gastronomy to hipster Chinese cuisine. You can’t walk a block without hitting a place that makes your stomach growl.

Fodor’s Choice | Clinton St. Baking Co.
$$ | AMERICAN | There was a time when this Lower East Side restaurant was the place to come for brunch. Specifically, it was the place to eat blueberry pancakes, which many regulars professed were the best in the city, if not the state, or the whole country. But all that changed when owners Neil Kleinberg and DeDe Lahman added lunch and dinner to the menu. Oh, it’s still a great place for brunch, but now you can eat those pancakes (along with a good Black Angus burger or crab-cake sandwich) anytime. February is pancake month when, in addition to the blueberry, every weekday brings a special incarnation of the pancake. | Average main: $19 | 4 Clinton St., near Houston St. , Lower East Side | 646/602–6263 | www.clintonstreetbaking.com | No dinner Sun. | Station: F to 2nd Ave.; J, M, Z to Essex St.

Congee Village.
$$ | CHINESE | Don’t be put off by the name—this boisterous Chinatown icon serves much more than the eponymous rice porridge. Indeed, the menu is enormous, covering an encyclopedic range of unusual Cantonese classics. The bamboo-cloaked dining room is great with a group of people, but being wedged in at a communal table with a boisterous family is part of the experience. If feeling adventurous, try the duck tongues in XO sauce or salt-and-pepper frog, or stick to familiar classics. Either way, the congee is a great way to start. | Average main: $15 | 100 Allen St., near Delancey St. , Lower East Side | 212/941–1818 | www.congeevillagerestaurants.com | Station: F to Delancey St.; J, M, Z to Essex St.; B, D to Grand St.

Fodor’s Choice | Dirt Candy.
$$ | VEGETARIAN | One of the best, most inspired vegetarian restaurants outside California, Dirt Candy shines thanks to chef Amanda Cohen, who knows how to coax every bit of flavor out of a vegetable, allowing said veggies to shine and sparkle on the plate and the palate. First-timers shouldn’t ignore the jalapeño hush puppies (with maple butter), the cauliflower curry (with a green-pea paneer), and the Brussels sprouts tacos, which are the best—and perhaps, the only—Brussels sprouts tacos you’ll ever eat. Make reservations at least a week in advance or be prepared to wait with the waiflike regulars. | Average main: $17 | 86 Allen St. , Lower East Side | 212/228–7732 | www.dirtcandynyc.com | Closed Mon. No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: F to Delancey St.

Dirty French.
$$$ | FRENCH | Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone, the chefs who created a small empire of Italian-American restaurants (Parm, Carbone, ZZ’s Clam Bar) go Gallic at this Lower East Side bistro in the Ludlow Hotel. The name says it all: while the fare from the kitchen is French, the team put their own spin on it, taking many of the dishes on a tour of places like North Africa and Louisiana before they land on your table. Porgy is dusted with Cajun spices and the duck à l’orange is spiked with Moroccan ras el hanout spice blend. The long, all-French wine list includes some nice bottles from off-the-radar regions. | Average main: $30 | Ludlow Hotel, 180 Ludlow St. , Lower East Side | 212/254–3000 | www.dirtyfrench.com | Station: F to 2nd Ave.

Doughnut Plant.
$ | CAFÉ | If you want to know what it feels like to eat a doughnut for the first time, head to the Doughnut Plant, where the all-American junk-food staple is elevated to high art. Fresh seasonal ingredients go into these decadent treats, with real fruit and imported chocolate mixed into the batter. Traditionalists croon over the vanilla-bean doughnut, but there are plenty of exotic flavors to tempt taste buds: the dense, fudgy Blackout is covered in crumb topping; carrot-cake doughnuts have a cream-cheese filling. The Lower East Side location is open every day from 6:30 am to 8 pm (‘til 9 pm Friday and Saturday). There’s a second location in Chelsea, next to the Chelsea Hotel; doughnuts are also available around the city at Dean & DeLuca and Zabar’s. | Average main: $5 | 379 Grand St. , Lower East Side | 212/505–3700 | www.doughnutplant.com | Reservations not accepted | No credit cards | Station: F to Delancey St.; J, M, Z to Essex St.; B, D to Grand St.

The Fat Radish.
$$ | BRITISH | The phrase “seasonal British” might have once seemed puzzling, but with seasonal ingredients very much in vogue and British cuisine making a name for itself, this handsome, hip, and sceney Lower East Side (almost Chinatown) restaurant is worth a visit. The menu is eclectic but full of excellent choices. Expect to be confronted by a lot of kale and other en-vogue ingredients. Green curried monkfish, a cheeseburger served with duck-fat fries, pork sausage and mussel stew, and roasted Peking duck breast are just a few of the menu showstoppers. Match that with quality craft British brews and potent cocktails and you’ll be championing English cuisine in no time. | Average main: $22 | 17 Orchard St., near Canal St. , Lower East Side | 212/300–4053 | www.thefatradishnyc.com | No lunch Mon. | Station: F to East Broadway .

Fodor’s Choice | Freemans.
$$ | AMERICAN | It’s hard to believe now, but there was once a time when New York restaurant interiors were trying hard not to look cool, with no taxidermy or ironic tchotchkes littered around the room, or lodge-ish dishes like hunters stew, potted pork, and grilled trout on the menu. But we have Freemans to thank for the change, and their equally inspired cocktails menu. Down a little-used alleyway on the Lower East Side, trendsetting Freemans is as hip and popular as when it opened in 2004. Just don’t try too hard to look cool. | Average main: $22 | End of Freeman Alley, near Rivington St. , Lower East Side | 212/420–0012 | www.freemansrestaurant.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: F to 2nd Ave.; J, Z to Bowery .

Fodor’s Choice | Ivan Ramen.
$$ | JAPANESE | Ivan Orkin’s improbable but true story is one of the many layers that make New York City’s restaurant scene so exciting, authentic, and delicious: the self-described “Jewish kid from Long Island” moved to Tokyo and became a ramen-making master, achieving near legendary status in the Japanese capital. In 2014 he opened this Lower East Side temple to ramen and it’s been packed since day one. First-timers should try the triple pork, triple garlic mazemen , a type of near-brothless ramen. The spicy red-chili ramen, filled to the rim with chicken broth, a smashed egg, minced pork, and rye noodles, lives up to its name. It all goes well with a pint of craft beer or a can of sake. | Average main: $17 | 25 Clinton St. , Lower East Side | 646/678–3859 | www.ivanramen.com | Station: F to 2nd Ave.; J, M, Z to Essex St.

Fodor’s Choice | Katz’s Delicatessen.
$$ | DELI | Everything and nothing has changed at Katz’s since it first opened in 1888, when the neighborhood was dominated by Jewish immigrants. The rows of Formica tables, the long self-service counter, and such signs as “Send a salami to your boy in the army” are all completely authentic. The lines still form on the weekends for giant, succulent hand-carved corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, soul-warming soups, juicy hot dogs, and crisp half-sour pickles. Weeknights are more laid-back. You get a ticket when you walk in and then get it punched at the various stations where you pick up your food; don’t lose it or you’ll have to pay the lost ticket fee. | Average main: $16 | 205 E. Houston St., at Ludlow St. , Lower East Side | 212/254–2246 | www.katzsdelicatessen.com | Station: F to 2nd Ave.

Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten.
$$ | GERMAN | Beer gardens once dotted the New York City landscape in the way that Starbucks does now, but after World War I and Prohibition, most of these outdoor drinking spots vanished. Then in 2003 came Loreley (which eventually kicked off a new beer-garden craze in the city). Don’t mistake this Lower East Side hot spot for a place where geriatrics in lederhosen swing their plus-size steins of beer to polka music. Instead, there’s a better-than-good chance of finding a gaggle of hipsters nursing German craft beers while bobbing their heads to the new Radiohead album and munching on plates of sausage, meatballs, or schnitzel. The space out back may be more concrete than garden, but it’s a pleasure on a mild evening. | Average main: $17 | 7 Rivington St., near the Bowery , Lower East Side | 212/253–7077 | www.loreleynyc.com | Station: J, Z to Bowery; B, D to Grand St.; F to 2nd Ave.

The Meatball Shop.
$ | ITALIAN | New York’s first full-service meatball restaurant has a pedigree chef, a professional waitstaff, a wine list, and a hip crowd. And the meatballs, oh, the meatballs: choose beef, pork, chicken, veggie, or “special” ball options that range from chili cheese to Greek lamb and Buffalo chicken; then decide if you want them served simply as is, in sliders or a hero, as a salad, or a platter—all with an appropriate choice of sauce and cheese. The meatball concept quickly caught on, and there are now six locations: five in Manhattan and one in Williamsburg. Mix ‘n’ match ice-cream sandwiches—choose your flavor and cookie—are worth saving room for. | Average main: $11 | 84 Stanton St., near Allen St. , Lower East Side | 212/982–8895 | www.themeatballshop.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: F to 2nd Ave.; J, Z to Bowery .

Mission Cantina.
$$ | MEXICAN | Chef Danny Bowien rocked the New York dining scene when he imported his San Francisco hit Mission Chinese Food here, and then added another local favorite with this Mexican eatery. The menu changes seasonally, but expect adventurous taco creations with creative ingredient pairings: beef tongue sprinkled with peanuts, and fresh tuna with wasabi are standouts. There are also huge burritos stuffed with chorizo, lamb, and rotisserie chicken. There’s an additional non-Mexican menu of Chinese staples available, too. The floor-to-ceiling windows are excellent for people-watching. | Average main: $14 | 172 Orchard St. , Lower East Side | 212/254–2233 | www.missioncantinany.com | Station: F to 2nd Ave.

Schiller’s Liquor Bar.
$$ | BISTRO | It may not be as hard to get in as it was back in 2003, when Keith McNally first opened this sceney hangout on the Lower East Side, but it still has the allure, with excellent bistro fare, sexy cocktails, and the kind of atmosphere that is as comfortable for celebrities as for parents with strollers. This is vintage Parisian à la McNally: verdigris mirrored panels, forever-in-style subway tiles, a tin ceiling, and a checkered floor, while Cuban sandwiches and steak frites reveal a steady hand in the kitchen. This is also the place for a late-night bite, since the kitchen is open until midnight every night (until 3 am Friday and Saturday). Breakfast is served weekdays until 4 pm, with brunch on weekends. | Average main: $20 | 131 Rivington St., at Norfolk St. , Lower East Side | 212/260–4555 | www.schillersny.com | Station: F to Delancey St.; J, M, Z to Essex St.

Shopsin’s.
$$ | ECLECTIC | Don’t ask for substitutions or sauce on the side at New York’s most eccentric eatery, because Kenny Shopsin, owner and chef, may really toss you out or ban you for life; somehow the attitude is part of the appeal here. Though the eclectic menu runs to literally hundreds of items—from pumpkin pancakes to chilaquiles, and from chili cheeseburgers to lamb-curry soups—even the strangest foods conjured up in his tight diner kitchen taste pretty great. The mac ‘n’ cheese pancakes have loyal followers (they’re even better with hot sauce). The space in the Essex market is tiny, so expect to wait. Parties of more than four aren’t accepted. | Average main: $17 | Essex Market, 120 Essex St., near Rivington St. , Lower East Side | www.shopsins.com | Closed Mon. and Tues. No dinner | Reservations not accepted | No credit cards | Station: F to Delancey St.; J, M, Z to Essex St.

The Stanton Social.
$$ | ECLECTIC | This swanky Lower East Side favorite lures crowds with an expansive and eclectic small-plates menu, accompanied by a perfectly calibrated cocktail list. Come before 7 if you want to be able to hear your companion speak, but the people-watching and shared dishes are good at any hour. Try the gooey, Gruyère-topped onion soup dumplings, juicy Kobe beef sliders, and wasabi-crusted salmon. Downstairs feels like a more traditional dining room, whereas the second level features a buzzy bar. The late-night lounge area, decorated with cherry-blossom wallpaper and red leather upholstery, turns more nightclubby the later it gets. Brunch—with options like spicy lobster Benedict—might blow your mind. Whatever time you come, save room for the fresh doughnuts. | Average main: $20 | 99 Stanton St., between Ludlow and Orchard Sts. , Lower East Side | 212/995–0099 | www.thestantonsocial.com | No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: F to 2nd Ave.; J, M, Z to Essex St.

Sugar Sweet Sunshine.
$ | CAFÉ | The brainchild of two former Magnolia Bakery employees, Sugar Sweet’s cupcakes are far superior; try the chocolate-almond Gooey Gooey, or the cream cheese frosting–topped pumpkin flavor. The real showstopper? Swoon-inducing banana pudding, with slices of ripe fruit and crumbled Nilla wafers suspended in decadent vanilla pudding. Cupcakes are the perfect on-the-go treat, but if you prefer to hang out, there are cozy couches. | Average main: $5 | 126 Rivington St., between Essex and Norfolk Sts. , Lower East Side | 212/995–1960 | www.sugarsweetsunshine.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: F to Delancey St.; J, M, Z to Essex St.

Greenwich Village and the West Village

Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village’s bohemian days may have faded, but the romantic allure of its tiny bistros, bars, and cafés remains. Around New York University, shabby-chic eateries and take-out joints cater to students, but there is a growing number of more sophisticated dining spots, too.

Arturo’s.
$$ | PIZZA | Few guidebooks list this classic New York pizzeria, but the jam-packed room and pleasantly smoky scent foreshadow a satisfying meal. There’s a full menu of Italian classics, but don’t be fooled: pizza is the main event. The thin-crust beauties are cooked in a coal-fired oven, and emerge sizzling with simple toppings like pepperoni, sausage, and eggplant. Monday through Thursday, you can call ahead to reserve a table; weekends, be prepared to wait and salivate. If you like the whimsical paintings that plaster the walls, ask the waiter the price: they’re for sale. | Average main: $19 | 106 W. Houston St., near Thompson St. , Greenwich Village | 212/535–4480 | No lunch weekends | Station: 1 to Houston St.; B, D, F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.

Fodor’s Choice | Babbo Ristorante.
$$$ | ITALIAN | It shouldn’t take more than one bite of the ethereal homemade pasta or tender barbecue squab with roast beet farrotto for you to understand why it’s so hard to get a reservation at Mario Batali’s casually elegant restaurant. The menu strays widely from Italian standards and hits numerous high points, in particular with the “mint love letters”: ravioli filled with pureed peas, ricotta, and fresh mint, finished with spicy lamb sausage ragout; and rabbit with Brussels sprouts, house-made pancetta, and carrot vinaigrette. This is the perfect spot for a raucous celebratory dinner with flowing wine and festive banter. But be forewarned: if anyone in your party is hard of hearing, or bothered by loud rock music, choose someplace more sedate. | Average main: $30 | 110 Waverly Pl., between MacDougal St. and 6th Ave. , Greenwich Village | 212/777–0303 | www.babbonyc.com | No lunch Sun. and Mon. | Reservations essential | Station: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Blue Hill.
$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | This tasteful, sophisticated den of a restaurant—formerly a speakeasy—on a quiet side street maintains an impeccable reputation for excellence and consistency under the leadership of chef Dan Barber. The Obamas even stopped here for dinner, shutting down the street for one of their “date nights.” Part of the slow-food, sustainable agriculture movement, Blue Hill mostly uses ingredients grown or raised within 200 miles, including the Four Season Farm at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Barber’s second culinary project in nearby Westchester County. The chefs produce precisely cooked and elegantly constructed food such as wild striped bass with potato-and-clam chowder and house-cured guanciale (pork jowl), and a smoked-tomato soup with American caviar. | Average main: $32 | 75 Washington Pl., between Washington Sq. W and 6th Ave. , Greenwich Village | 212/539–1776 | www.bluehillfarm.com | No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Carbone.
$$$$ | ITALIAN | It seems like Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi can do no wrong. Case in point: Carbone. The achingly popular place not only sticks to the Italian-American formula that has won it (and their earlier restaurant Torrisi) acclaim, but goes one step further: the white-tableclothed Greenwich Village restaurant successfully emulates the Big Apple Italian restaurants of the 1950s, with revived dishes like veal marsala, rib-eye Diana, and baked clams. It’s not cheap, but portions are generous. | Average main: $45 | 181 Thompson St., between Bleecker and Houston Sts. , Greenwich Village | 212/254–3000 | www.carbonenewyork.com | No lunch weekends | Reservations essential | Station: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Fodor’s Choice | Charlie Bird.
$$$ | ITALIAN | Perpetually packed since the day it opened in the spring of 2013, Charlie Bird is the love child of sommelier Robert Bohr, who was in charge of wine at vino-mad Cru, and chef Ryan Hardy, who made a name for himself at Little Nell in Aspen and, more recently, sharpened his skills as private chef for food-loving Jay-Z and Beyoncé—it’s no coincidence the restaurant has a hip-hop theme (expect old-school and ‘90’s rap on the hi-fi). The Italian-leaning menu is divided into small and large plates, vegetables, a “raw” section, and pasta. The uni-loaded duck-egg spaghetti marries surf ‘n’ turf in a deeply satisfying way, while the scallops are subtly laced with lardo, giving them an umami boost. | Average main: $32 | 5 King St., at 6th Ave. , Greenwich Village | 212/235–7133 | www.charliebirdnyc.com | No credit cards | Reservations essential | Station: C, E to Spring St.; 1 to Houston St.

Kati Roll Company.
$ | INDIAN | You can think of a kati roll as a South Asian taco: griddled parathas stuffed with savory-spiced grilled meat, shrimp, paneer, chickpea mash, or spiced mashed potato. They’re the only things sold at this tiny, popular lunch spot cheerfully festooned with Bollywood posters. This is an excellent and inexpensive lunch option, but be warned that lines often form at weekday lunch, and there are only a few seats, so a good plan is to take your kati roll to a nearby park bench. There is also a location at 39th Street and 6th Avenue. | Average main: $7 | 99 MacDougal St., near Bleecker St. , Greenwich Village | 212/730–4280 | www.thekatirollcompany.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Lupa.
$$ | ITALIAN | Even the most hard-to-please connoisseurs have a soft spot for Lupa, Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich’s “downscale” Roman trattoria. Rough-hewn wood, great Italian wines, and simple preparations with top-quality ingredients define the restaurant, along with the “gentle” prices. People come repeatedly for dishes such as ricotta gnocchi with sweet-sausage ragout, house-made salumi, and sardines with golden raisins and pine nuts. The restaurant is split into two rooms: a boisterous space up front, with plenty of natural light, where walk-ins are welcome; and for those with reservations, an intimate back room, like a culinary cocoon in the best sense. | Average main: $23 | 170 Thompson St., between Bleecker and Houston Sts. , Greenwich Village | 212/982–5089 | www.luparestaurant.com | Station: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Mermaid Oyster Bar.
$$ | SEAFOOD | If you’re craving a great raw bar, lobster roll, or soft-shell crab sandwich (in season), Mermaid Oyster Bar gives nearby classics Mary’s Fish Camp and Pearl Oyster Bar a run for their money. Almost every dish is a winner here, but the lobster bisque laced with Manzanilla sherry and toasted pumpkin seeds, the blackened striped bass with roasted squash and Swiss chard, and the spicy seafood bucatini fra diavolo are all standouts. From the bar, try something from the list of perfect-pitch cocktails, like a Dark and Stormy, made with black rum and ginger beer, or a Pimm’s Cooler with refreshing pieces of cucumber. There are two other locations in Manhattan, on the Upper West Side and in the East Village. | Average main: $23 | 79 MacDougal St., at Houston St. , Greenwich Village | 212/260–0100 | www.themermaidnyc.com | No lunch | Station: 1 to Houston St.; A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Minetta Tavern.
$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | By converting a moribund 80-year-old Italian restaurant into a cozy hot spot, restaurateur Keith McNally created yet another hit. Try early and often to score reservations, so that you can sample creations like buttery trout meunière, bone marrow on toast, expertly aged steaks, and the celebrated Black Label burger, a gorgeous assembly of meat topped with caramelized onions and—for the brave—an added layer of cheese. The barroom, with its original details intact, is great for people-watching. Landing a table in the back room, with its original mural depicting West Village life and wall-to-wall photos of famous and infamous customers from eras gone by, makes sweet-talking the reservationist a worthy endeavor. | Average main: $28 | 113 MacDougal St., between Bleecker and 3rd Sts. , Greenwich Village | 212/475–3850 | www.minettatavernny.com | No lunch Mon. and Tues. | Reservations essential | Station: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Umami Burger.
$$ | BURGER | Known as the “sixth taste,” umami is the sensation on our palate when we eat something savory. It’s also the name of this restaurant minichain whose Manhattan location serves one of the best burgers in the city. The signature burger looks like any other (except for the “u” branded into the top of the buns), but looks are deceiving. Dig, if you will, the umami-building process: caramelized onions are doused with star anise, the sweet-accented ketchup is made in-house, and the patty is sprinkled with sea-kelp powder and bonito flake, then sprayed with an oyster extract. The Manly Burger goes a step further, adding beer cheddar and bacon lardons. Starters include salads, fries, truffle fries, sweet potato fries, and onion rings. | Average main: $14 | 432 6th Ave., near 10th St. , Greenwich Village | 212/677–8626 | www.umami.com | Station: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

West Village

The West Village has mastered the art of destination restaurants that feel like neighborhood eateries. Places here are homey, yet remarkable enough to attract diners from all over the city.

Annisa.
$$$ | ASIAN | “Annisa” may mean “the women” in Arabic, but the top-notch food at this sedate West Village restaurant is inspired by Asia. Chef Anita Lo, one of the most underrated chefs in New York, cooks up miraculous dishes like foie gras soup dumplings, barbecue squid with basil and peanuts, and Japanese curry-spiked rabbit. Be sure to save room for dessert: the pecan and salted butterscotch beignets with bourbon ice cream are good enough to make you want to come back a second or third time. | Average main: $30 | 13 Barrow St., between 4th St. and 7th Ave. S , West Village | 212/741–6699 | www.annisarestaurant.com | No lunch | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.; A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Bar Bolonat.
$$ | ISRAELI | Chef Einat Admony, who runs the show at Taïm and Balaboosta, has devised an intriguing menu at this sleek West Village spot that serves dishes that represent the Jewish diaspora around the Mediterranean. Sit at the bar and watch the kitchen in action or dine at a two-top in the dark-hued dining room—either way you can munch on tender lamb neck in a chickpea purée or the palate-tantalizing yellow Yemenite curry bedecked with shrimp. The wine list goes beyond the diaspora, but there are some interesting bottles from Israel and Morocco. | Average main: $21 | 611 Hudson St. , West Village | 212/390–1545 | www.barbolonatny.com | No lunch | Station: A, C, E to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

Barbuto.
$$ | ITALIAN | Chef Jonathan Waxman made a name for himself with his French-inspired California cuisine. Barbuto specializes in rustic preparations with bright flavors, like house-made duck sausage with creamy polenta, red-wine-braised short ribs, and pasta carbonara, though the menu changes daily, depending on what’s available. The chef’s acclaimed roasted chicken is usually on the menu in one form or another. The airy, sophisticated space gets busy, so make a reservation. The restaurant is particularly pleasant in nice weather when the giant garage-door-like windows open onto the street—watch the neighborhood go by. | Average main: $20 | 775 Washington St., between Jane and 12th Sts. , West Village | 212/924–9700 | www.barbutonyc.com | Station: A, C, E to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.; 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.

Bleecker Street Pizza.
$ | PIZZA | Flavor reigns at this bustling corner pizzeria. It’s the perfect place to stop for a stand-up slice at the counter, particularly to soak up some suds late at night. The thin-crusted Nonna Maria is topped with garlicky marinara, grated and fresh mozzarella, and freshly grated Parmesan, and worth the trek to the West Village. If not smitten with “Grandma Maria,” there are also Sicilian slices and whole white (that’s no tomato sauce) pies available. | Average main: $5 | 69 7th Ave. S, at Bleecker St. , West Village | 212/924–4466 | www.bleekerstreetpizza.net | Reservations not accepted | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.; A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Blue Ribbon Bakery.
$$$ | ECLECTIC | A neighborhood standard for good, if expensive, food, this outpost of the Blue Ribbon empire has an eclectic menu with substantial sandwiches on homemade bread (freshly baked in the oven downstairs), small plates, legendary bread pudding, and entrées that span the globe, from hummus to grilled catfish with sautéed collards and sweet potatoes. The cavelike basement dining room is dark and intimate; upstairs is more open and light filled, with large windows looking out onto a pretty West Village corner. Brunch is notoriously crowded. | Average main: $25 | 35 Downing St., at Bedford St. , Greenwich Village | 212/337–0404 | www.blueribbonrestaurants.com | Station: 1 to Houston St.; A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

dell’anima.
$$$ | ITALIAN | Lines still snake out the door of this neighborhood favorite, so it’s a good idea to make a reservation. Once you’re in, check out the open kitchen, where the stylish crowd converges to watch chefs prepare authentic Italian dishes with a modern twist. Starters might include sweetbreads, bone marrow, or charred octopus with chorizo, while traditional first courses like pasta alla carbonara with speck (smoked and cured pork), egg, and pecorino are impeccable. The signature pollo al diavolo (spicy chicken) is seared with enough smoke and heat for all seasons. Anfora, their wine bar next door, is good for an after-dinner drink, if you want to linger in the area. | Average main: $26 | 38 8th Ave., at Jane St. , West Village | 212/366–6633 | www.dellanima.com | No lunch weekdays | Station: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

Ditch Plains.
$$ | SEAFOOD | Named for a surf spot in Montauk, this laid-back neighborhood restaurant serves an eclectic bill of beachfront fare—from fish tacos, lobster rolls, and fish ‘n’ chips to clam chowder and crab dip. There are options for landlubbers and vegetarians, too. It’s not quite a beach shack, but the food and setting, with an upbeat rock sound track, are designed for conviviality, and the wine-list prices are extremely friendly, with whole and half bottles sold just above cost. The Bloody Marys are recommended, too. Breakfast/brunch is served every day from 11 am and dinner served until 2 am nightly. | Average main: $19 | 29 Bedford St., near Downing St. , West Village | 212/633–0202 | www.ditch-plains.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: 1 to Houston St.

Do Hwa.
$$ | KOREAN | If anyone in New York is responsible for making Korean food cool and user-friendly, it is the mother-daughter team behind this chic and perennially popular restaurant. Jenny Kwak and her mother, Myung Ja, serve home cooking in the form of kalbi jim (braised short ribs), bibimbop (a spicy, mix-it-yourself vegetable-and-rice dish), and other favorites that may not be as pungent as in Koreatown but are satisfying nevertheless—in a far more sophisticated atmosphere. The bar area, where movies are projected onto a side wall, gets pretty happening, too. | Average main: $23 | 55 Carmine St., between Bedford St. and 7th Ave. S , West Village | 212/414–1224 | www.dohwanyc.com | No lunch weekends | Station: 1 to Houston St.; A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Dominique Ansel Kitchen.
$ | BAKERY | Cronut? What cronut? Don’t come looking for French baker Dominique Ansel’s insanely popular Franken-pastry here because you won’t find it (for that, head to his other bakery in SoHo). Instead, at this West Village spot the cutting-edge baker/wizard conjures up other edible oddities such as garlic bread croissants, a French toast-like croque monsieur, and beignets sprinkled and filled with matcha powder (the dust of these explodes like a green-spewing volcano with each bite). In the warm-weather months, the outdoor tables are much more pleasant than the uncomfortable stadiumlike seating setup on the inside. Nothing here will ever match the phenomenon of the cronut, but given the much shorter lines at this location, that’s a good thing. | Average main: $8 | 137 7th Ave. S , West Village | 212/242–5111 | www.dominiqueanselkitchen.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: 1 to Christopher St./Sheridan Square .

Empellón Taqueria.
$$ | MEXICAN | Chef Alex Stupak worked for years as the wizardlike pastry chef at the now-closed wd-50, New York’s first introduction to molecular gastronomy, so when he left to open—wait for it—a taquería, many Manhattan diners either scratched their heads or wondered if they’d be served deconstructed tacos. Instead, they got simple yet well-executed fare using top-notch ingredients. There are straightforward options—fish tempura, lamb, steak—as well as surprising variations, like a taco with sweetbreads and a chorizo gravy poured over it. There are also several variations on the margarita theme, including one using the Japanese citrus, yuzu. Empellón isn’t really south-of-the-border authentic, but when it’s this good, who cares? | Average main: $24 | 230 W. 4th St., at 10th St. , West Village | 212/367–0999 | www.empellon.com | No lunch Mon.–Thurs. | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.

Fatty Crab.
$$ | MALAYSIAN | This rustic Malaysian cantina showcases the exciting cuisine of chef Zak Pelaccio, who spent years cooking at famous French restaurants before escaping to Southeast Asia for a year, where he fell in love with the flavors of the region. Start with the addictive pickled watermelon and crispy pork salad, an improbable combination that’s both refreshing and decadent. The can’t-miss signature dish is chili crab—cracked Dungeness crab in a pool of rich, spicy chili sauce, served with bread for dipping. It’s messy for sure, but worth rolling up your sleeves. The small space fills up quickly, and be warned that the tables are practically on top of each other, but it’s lots of fun. | Average main: $22 | 643 Hudson St., between Gansevoort and Horatio Sts. , West Village | 212/352–3592 | www.fattycrab.com | Reservations essential | Station: A, C, E to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

Fedora.
$$$ | ECLECTIC | Up until 2011, subterranean Fedora was an ancient, little-patronized restaurant with an even more ancient owner (for which the restaurant was named). But charming Fedora, the old Italian owner, has left the building and restaurateur Gabe Stulman took it over, vowing to keep the design largely intact. Now hip folks cram the long, narrow space, munching on French Canadian–accented fare like garlic-cream-topped duck breast and scallops paired with bone marrow, and sipping creatively named (and made) signature cocktails. Fedora (the restaurant) will never be the same, and that’s maybe a good thing. | Average main: $26 | 239 W. 4th St., between Charles and 10th Sts. , West Village | 646/449–9336 | www.fedoranyc.com | No lunch | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.

Frankies Spuntino.
$$ | ITALIAN | The Frankies—that is, owners and chefs Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo—have a winning formula at their West Village restaurant: serve hearty not-necessarily-by-the-book Italian-inflected fare using local, organic, and humanely raised ingredients in a laid-back atmosphere. Most menu items change seasonally, but expect pasta dishes like pappardelle with mushrooms and chestnuts; black spaghetti with mussels, cockles, and pistachios; and sweet-potato gnocchi with oxtail ragout. The large menu also includes crostini, fresh salads, cured meats, and cheese plates. It’s a casual, family-friendly, neighborhood spot. | Average main: $20 | 570 Hudson St., at 11th St. , West Village | 212/924–0818 | www.frankiesspuntino.com | Station: A, C, E to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

I Sodi.
$$$ | ITALIAN | In a city of what seems like a million Italian restaurants, this minimalist-design Tuscan-focused eatery in the West Village is a real find. Spiky-haired owner Rita Sodi, a Florentine who formerly worked in the fashion industry, ensures the traditional fare coming from the kitchen is satisfying. The menu changes weekly based on seasonal ingredients, but expect a bevy of pasta dishes topped with good stuff like duck ragout, and artichoke-laced lasagna, as well as not-very-Lipitor-friendly pancetta-wrapped pork and rabbit. Hoist a glass of grappa at the end of the meal, and be happy you’re in the right place. Chef Sodi also runs the excellent Via Carota around the corner on Grove Street. | Average main: $27 | 105 Christopher St., between Bleecker and Hudson Sts. , West Village | 212/414–5774 | www.isodinyc.com | No lunch | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.

Joe’s Pizza.
$ | PIZZA | You might recognize this Greenwich Village institution from its frequent cameos in TV and film (in Spider-Man, Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker was a Joe’s delivery boy). But it’s the classic gooey New York slice, dripping melted cheese onto paper plates, that really makes the place famous. And in a city brimming with by-the-slice spots, the crispy-bottomed slices here are the best. | Average main: $6 | 7 Carmine St., near Bleecker St. , West Village | 212/366–1182 | www.joespizzanyc.com | Reservations not accepted | No credit cards | Station: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Keste Pizza & Vino.
$$ | PIZZA | At the back of the long, narrow Keste Pizza & Vino restaurant is a beautiful, tiled, wood-fired oven that cooks what might be Manhattan’s most authentic Neapolitan pies at 1,000º F. Blistered and chewy around the edges, the margherita pie gives way to a softer center pooled with San Marzano tomato sauce and house-made mozzarella. There are numerous pizza options, including white pies and gluten-free crusts. This is a definite contender for best pizza in New York. The dining room is casual, and the location means it’s almost always busy. | Average main: $17 | 271 Bleecker St., between 6th and 7th Aves. , West Village | 212/243–1500 | www.kestepizzeria.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.; A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Fodor’s Choice | The Little Owl.
$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | This tiny neighborhood joint, with seating for 28 people, is exceptionally eager to please—and this attitude, plus the food, is a winning combination. The menu is just as small, which actually makes it easier to decide what you want. And what you want are the pork-veal-beef-pecorino-cheese meatball “sliders,” or miniburgers. The unusually juicy pork loin chop, served with Parmesan butter beans and wild dandelion greens, is gigantic and hugely satisfying. Raspberry-filled beignets, served with a ramekin of warm Nutella, are otherworldly. It’s quintessential West Village: quirky and wonderful. Fans of the sitcom Friends might recognize the apartment building that houses the restaurant. | Average main: $25 | 90 Bedford St., at Grove St. , West Village | 212/741–4695 | www.thelittleowlnyc.com | Reservations essential | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.; A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Mary’s Fish Camp.
$$ | SEAFOOD | Diners still line up down the street before the restaurant opens for dinner to get a table at this small but bustling seafood shack. The result of a split between Pearl Oyster Bar’s partners, Mary’s is a more intimate space, but the two have similar menus: excellent fried oysters, chowders, and, of course, the sweet lobster roll with crisp fries, all of which have you licking your fingers. The killer hot fudge sundae is worth saving room for. The staff here are warm and friendly, too. This is the kind of place everyone wishes was in their neighborhood. | Average main: $23 | 64 Charles St., at 4th St. , West Village | 646/486–2185 | www.marysfishcamp.com | No dinner Sun. | Reservations not accepted | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.

Moustache.
$$ | MIDDLE EASTERN | There’s typically a crowd waiting outside for one of the copper-top tables at this casual Middle Eastern neighborhood restaurant. The focal point is the perfect pita that accompanies tasty salads like lemony chickpea and spinach, hearty lentil and bulgur, or falafel. Also delicious is lahambajin, spicy ground lamb on a crispy flat crust. For entrées, try the leg of lamb, the juicy baby lamb sandwich, or merguez sausage sandwiches. Service is slow but friendly. There are also locations in the East Village and East Harlem. | Average main: $13 | 90 Bedford St., between Barrow and Grove Sts. , West Village | 212/229–2220 | www.moustachepitza.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.; A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Pearl Oyster Bar.
$$$ | SEAFOOD | There have been many imitators and few real competitors to this West Village seafood institution. Since 1997, Rebecca Charles has been serving arguably the best lobster roll in New York City in a no-frills space down charming, restaurant-lined Cornelia Street—and expanded next door to accommodate the throngs. But that’s not the only reason you should cast your net here. Pan-roasted sea scallops and plus-size crab cakes compete with the legendary lobster roll for your taste buds’ attention. Service is very efficient—you might even say rushed. | Average main: $26 | 18 Cornelia St., between 4th and Bleecker Sts. , West Village | 212/691–8211 | www.pearloysterbar.com | Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. | Station: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

RedFarm.
$$$ | CHINESE | Conceived and run by Ed Schoenfeld, an expert on Chinese cuisine, and Joe Ng, known as the dumpling king of New York, this West Village restaurant specializes in—you guessed it—Chinese-style dumplings. At least partly. The menu focuses mostly on dim sum—small plates and snacks (often in dumpling form)—as well as Chinese-American dishes like three-chili chicken and chicken in garlic sauce. The lobster dumplings and the crab and pork soup dumplings are culinary wonders and nearly obligatory for first-timers. But come with a wallet the size of China itself because the dishes add up. Also consider trying the restaurant’s duck-themed restaurant, Decoy, in the basement. There’s also a location of RedFarm on Broadway and West 76th Street. | Average main: $30 | 529 Hudson St., between 10th and Charles Sts. , West Village | 212/792–9700 | www.redfarmnyc.com | No lunch | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.

The Spotted Pig.
$$$ | BRITISH | Part cozy English pub, part laid-back neighborhood hangout, part gastronome’s lure, the Spotted Pig showcases the impeccable food of the now-legendary London chef April Bloomfield (Mario Batali and his partners advised on the menu). Dishes like arugula salad with tangy radishes and Parmesan, and smoked-haddock-and-corn chowder with homemade crackers are studies in texture and flavor contrast. Shoestring potatoes accompany the Roquefort cheeseburger. Chase it with a foam-crowned glass of Old Speckled Hen. This neighborhood hangout still packs them in, so come early, or late. The Breslin, at the Ace Hotel, is another of Bloomfield’s standout New York restaurants with an überclubby feel. | Average main: $26 | 314 W. 11th St., at Greenwich St. , West Village | 212/620–0393 | www.thespottedpig.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.; 2, 3 to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

Fodor’s Choice | Sushi Nakazawa.
$$$$ | JAPANESE | Daisuke dreams of sushi. Fans of the acclaimed 2011 documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi may remember Daisuke Nakazawa, the apprentice to the great Tokyo-based sushi master Jiro Ono, who spent the near-entirety of the film trying to perfect the egg custard. He finally succeeded, just as he has succeeded in wooing even the most finicky New York diners. It’s all omakase (a tasting menu set by the chef) here, so sit back and enjoy two hours of being fed by one of the best sushi chefs in New York. Mr. Nakazawa practices an old Tokyo style of sushi making—putting all his highly fresh fish on a thumb-size bundle of rice. (Sorry, sashimi fans.) Reserve at least a month in advance, or try to get a table in the à la carte, no-reservations room adjacent to the restaurant. | Average main: $170 | 23 Commerce St., near Bedford St. , West Village | 212/924–2212 | www.sushinakazawa.com | No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.; A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St.

Taïm.
$ | MIDDLE EASTERN | There’s a real chef behind this tiny sliver of a restaurant, New York’s only gourmet falafel stand. Taïm means “tasty” in Hebrew, and Tel Aviv transplant Einat Admony’s fried chickpea balls are delicious, and available in several beguiling flavors (try them infused with spicy harissa sauce) along with a tantalizing display of à la carte salads (the carrots with Moroccan spices is a standout). There’s another location in NoLIta, on Spring Street between Mott and Mulberry, as well as a food truck that makes its way around the city (you can find it via Twitter). | Average main: $9 | 222 Waverly Pl., near Perry St. , West Village | 212/691–1287 | www.taimfalafel.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: 1, 2, 3 to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

Wallsé.
$$$ | AUSTRIAN | The modern Austrian menu at Kurt Gutenbrunner’s lovely, light-filled neighborhood restaurant has a strong emphasis on Austrian tradition and urban New York attitude. It’s hard to argue with such dishes as Wiener schnitzel with potato-cucumber salad and lingonberries, or venison goulash with spaetzle and Brussels sprouts, and it’s often lighter than you’d think Austrian food would be. Desserts do Vienna proud: apple-walnut strudel is served with apple sorbet. The atmosphere is casual but sophisticated—perfect for either a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. | Average main: $33 | 344 W. 11th St., at Washington St. , West Village | 212/352–2300 | www.wallse.com | No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.; A, C, E to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

Westville.
$$ | AMERICAN | If New York’s neighborhoods were small country towns, they’d all have restaurants just like Westville. These adorable spots—with branches in the East and West Village, Chelsea, and west SoHo—serve simple, wholesome fare, at reasonable prices. Salads, grilled chicken, burgers, and chops are all good, but the seasonal sides, which change daily based on what’s fresh at the market, are the real star attraction (the “Market Plate” with any three sides is a popular dinner option). Dessert is worth saving room for, too, especially the daily pie selections. Expect a wait on weekend nights. | Average main: $13 | 210 W. 10th St., near Bleecker St. , West Village | 212/741–7971 | www.westvillenyc.com | Station: 1 to Christopher St.–Sheridan Sq.

Chelsea and the Meatpacking District

Chelsea

Several big-name chefs have moved to the western part of this neighborhood in recent years, putting Chelsea on the dining map. For a tasty quick bite or a gift for your favorite foodie, stop by Chelsea Market.

Buddakan.
$$$ | ASIAN | Few—if any—restaurants in Manhattan rival the 16,000-square-foot Buddakan in terms of sheer magnitude and buoyant theatricality. In a neighborhood whose eateries often get by on sizzle alone, the food here has real substance as well. Restaurateur Stephen Starr outdid himself with this New York version of his Philadelphia original: the upstairs bar is a great end-of-day meet-up spot for pert cocktails and appetizers; the vast downstairs is like a dining hall in a medieval castle, complete with a communal table spanning the room. The kitchen prepares ethereal tuna spring rolls that are narrow flutes of ruby tuna tartare in a crisp fried shell, while edamame dumplings are light and delicate. The menu is large, made up of Asian specialties like black-pepper beef, glazed black cod, and sizzling short ribs served with tender, wide noodles. Considering the droves of patrons, service is surprisingly attentive. | Average main: $30 | 75 9th Ave., between W. 15th and W. 16th Sts. , Chelsea | 212/989–6699 | www.buddakannyc.com | No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: A, C, E to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

Co.
$$ | PIZZA | “Company,” as it’s pronounced, took the New York pizza scene by red-sauce-scented storm when it opened in early 2009. Bread master Jim Lahey, who made a name for himself at the Sullivan Street Baking Company, crafts simple but memorable pies, the dough and crust of which play a starring role. The simple margherita (tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil) is a good way to sample Co.’s fare, but diners are always tempted by unorthodox pizzas like the caramelized-onion-and-walnut-purée pie or the béchamel-and-Parmesan-topped version. If you can, take a few friends, and order several pies. But it’s not all pizza: the delicious veal meatballs and chicken-liver toast tempt even the most die-hard pizza lover to stray. |Average main: $19 | 230 9th Ave., at 24th St. , Chelsea | 212/243–1105 | www.co-pane.com | No lunch Mon. | Station: C, E to 23rd St.

Cookshop.
$$$ | AMERICAN | One of far-west Chelsea’s first hot restaurants, Cookshop manages a casual elegance while focusing on seasonal, farm-fresh cuisine that continues to wow. Outdoor seating on 10th Avenue is quite peaceful in the evening; during the day you can survey a cross-section of gallery-hoppers and shoppers. Divine cocktails, made with fresh fruit juices, are veritable elixirs of well-being. Line up early for brunch; it’s worth the wait for dishes like baked eggs over duck and Swiss chard, or the fluffiest pancakes in town. Dinner is also a triumph, with a variety of perfectly prepared dishes like whitefish with lemony asparagus and hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, or a simple roasted chicken. | Average main: $26 | 156 10th Ave., at 20th St. , Chelsea | 212/924–4440 | www.cookshopny.com | Station: A, C, E to 23rd St.

Coppelia.
$$ | ECLECTIC | Named for a legendary ice-cream shop in Havana, Coppelia is neither Cuban nor an ice-cream parlor. At least not strictly speaking. Chef Julian Medina has created a 24-hour pan-Latin diner that works on many levels—for a quick breakfast, casual lunch, or late-night bite. The continent-sized menu emphasizes comfort food, with satisfying dishes like the pork-belly-spiked mac ‘n’ cheese, mountainous nachos, grilled cheese with jalapeño and bacon, and even kimchi-stuffed tacos. If you did have your corazón set on ice cream, there’s plenty of it on the dessert menu. | Average main: $16 | 207 W. 14th St., between 7th and 8th Aves. , Chelsea | 212/858–5001 | www.ybandco.com | Station: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, F, M to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

Legend.
$$ | CHINESE | Sure, there’s nothing Chinese about the generic name; and the location, on a stretch of 7th Avenue in Chelsea, is flanked by forgettable eating options. But do your taste buds a favor and eat at this affordable Sichuan spot, whose quiet opening was followed by a lot of buzz among New York’s fooderati. The long menu is not for the indecisive, but nearly anything is a hit, including the double-cooked bacon, the massive and flaky whole roasted fish, and the ultraspicy ma po tofu. Dishes here lean toward the fiery side. | Average main: $15 | 88 7th Ave., between 15th and 16th Sts. , Chelsea | 212/929–1778 | www.legendrestaurant88.com | Station: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, F, M to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

Fodor’s Choice | Lupulo.
$$ | PORTUGUESE | Michelin-starred chef George Mendes’s homage to Portuguese tavern cuisine is a delicious escape amid the bustle of 6th Avenue. Unlike Aldea, Mendes’s more formal eatery, Lupulo (which means “hops” in Portuguese) is a laid-back spot, featuring a long craft-beer list (even though there are few Portuguese beers on it). Pull up a seat at the island bar or snag a table next to the floor-to-ceiling windows and dig into Iberian comfort food like plates of salty grilled sardines, crispy shrimp turnovers, oven-baked octopus, and salt cod casserole for two. If beer isn’t your thing, the all-Portuguese wine menu, which includes a few bottles of refreshing Vinho Verde, is a guaranteed palate cleanser. | Average main: $19 | 835 6th Ave. , Chelsea | 212/290–7600 | www.lupulonyc.com | Station: B, D, F, M to 34th St.–Herald Square .

Mulino a Vino.
$$$ | ITALIAN | You can’t throw a meatball in New York without hitting an Italian restaurant. But if there’s one spot not to miss, it’s this subterranean restaurant on 14th Street. The top toque is Davide Scabin, who has received all manner of acclaim for his avant-garde eatery in Italy, Combal.Zero. He tones things down a bit here, the fare balancing between weird and wonderful. The cacio a pepe doughnut is a pecorino-cheese-and-pepper-stuffed fried ball of dough, and it’s revelatory. The San Daniele’s Miracle might be the best thing in the menu, though: it’s the porkiest prosciutto-and-fried-lardo sandwich you will ever eat. The wine list is long and Italian, and each can be had by the bottle or glass. | Average main: $30 | 337 W. 14th St. , Chelsea | 212/433–0818 | www.mulinoavino.com | No lunch Tues.–Sat. | Station: A, C, E to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

The Red Cat.
$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | Elegant yet unpretentious, a lovely neighborhood spot and a destination restaurant, the Red Cat is a great place to chat with a friend, celebrate an auspicious occasion, have a business dinner, or just enjoy an excellent meal. The American-meets-Mediterranean menu changes frequently, based on what’s in season, but expect an eclectic menu of well-executed pastas, burgers, saffron-laced seafood, and meaty numbers. Factor in the affordable wine list and you’ll most definitely feel like one lucky cat. | Average main: $27 | 227 10th Ave., between 23rd and 24th Sts. , Chelsea | 212/242–1122 | www.redcatrestaurants.com | Station: C, E to 23rd St.

Tía Pol.
$$ | SPANISH | It may be sardine-can small and dark, but that doesn’t stop this popular tapas bar from being packed most nights. This is one of the best tapas spots in town, with a welcoming vibe, a dozen reasonably priced Spanish wines by the glass, and charm to spare. One of the most original tapas has become a signature here: bittersweet chocolate smeared on a baguette disc and topped with salty Spanish chorizo. Patatas bravas (rough-cut potatoes served with spicy aioli) are so addictive, you won’t want to share them. The pork loin, piquillo pepper, and mild tetilla cheese sandwich is scrumptious, and so is the Galician octopus terrine. Tía Pol is also a great spot to stop and snack midway through a High Line jaunt. | Average main: $14 | 205 10th Ave., between 22nd and 23rd Sts. , Chelsea | 212/675–8805 | www.tiapol.com | No lunch Mon. | Reservations essential | Station: C, E to 23rd St.

Tipsy Parson.
$$$ | SOUTHERN | If New York’s Chelsea neighborhood were magically transported to the American South, the food might taste something like it does at this hip, Southern-accented eatery with a menu of artery-hardening delights. Named for a boozy Southern dessert, the Tipsy Parson and its menu are all about comfort in the belly and soul: fried pickles, homemade peanut butter with crackers, bourbon-laced chicken-liver mousse, and seafood potpie are designed to make you full and happy. The restaurant’s close proximity to the High Line, the elevated park and greenway, means you can walk it all off afterward. | Average main: $25 | 156 9th Ave., between 19th and 20th Sts. , Chelsea | 212/620–4545 | www.tipsyparson.com | No lunch Mon. and Tues. | Station: C, E to 23rd St.

Trestle on Tenth.
$$ | SWISS | Cozy and warm with an inviting exposed-brick interior, this Swiss brasserie is a true west Chelsea neighborhood spot. Locals and gallery-hoppers quaff foamy beers and glasses of wine from the reasonable list while awaiting hearty Alpine-inspired dishes. Crispy duck necks, calves’ liver with potato rösti, and butter lettuce with bacon are favorites. It’s not art—for that, hit up one of the many galleries in the neighborhood—but it makes you yearn for Alpine landscapes. The location is convenient to the High Line. | Average main: $20 | 242 10th Ave., at 24th St. , Chelsea | 212/645–5659 | www.trestleontenth.com | Station: C, E to 23rd St.

Txikito.
$$ | SPANISH | After being wined and dined at this popular Chelsea Spanish restaurant, you’d never guess that chef Alexandra Raij is from very un-Spanish Minneapolis. Her husband and business partner is, though, and the duo put on an impressive show. The theme is cucina vasca, or Basque cuisine, one of the most exciting regions in Iberia for eating. Raij captures the moment by serving standouts like juicy lamb meatballs in a minty broth, crispy beef tongue, and an addictive crabmeat gratin. The wine list at Txikito (pronounced Chi-kee-toe) is loaded with great bottles of Rioja and other tempranillos, many of which are from Basque winemakers. | Average main: $16 | 240 9th Ave., at 25th St. , Chelsea | 212/242–4730 | www.txikitonyc.com | No lunch | Station: C, E to 23rd St.

Meatpacking District

Europeans, models, actors, and the people who love them stroll the sidewalk like they’re on a catwalk, going from one hot restaurant to the next in this cobblestone-laden neighborhood, which has become almost too sceney for its own good. There’s plenty of great eating here—you just might have to wait awhile (or impersonate a celebrity) to get a table.

Del Posto.
$$$$ | ITALIAN | Much more formal than Babbo, Del Posto is Mario Batali’s grown-up venue (in partnership with Lidia and Joe Bastianich), and the dining room—with its sweeping staircase, formal decor, and live music from a baby grand—has the feel of an opulent hotel lobby. This is one of the most consistently dazzling special-occasion spots in the city, and the food is stellar. There are a variety of set menus to choose from ($149 for five courses; $179 for eight), plus à la carte options for parties of four and under. Pitch-perfect risotto is made fresh to order for two people or more, meat dishes like roasted veal chops are standouts, and pastas are ethereal—all with old-world table-side service. For a smaller taste of the experience, come for a cocktail and sample the bargain bar menu. | Average main: $65 | 85 10th Ave., between 15th and 16th Sts. , Meatpacking District | 212/497–8090 | www.delposto.com | No lunch weekends | Reservations essential | Station: A, C, E to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

La Sirena.
$$$ | ITALIAN | The latest Batali and Bastianich temple of Italian gastronomy, La Sirena combines excellent Italian fare with the trendy ambience of the Maritime Hotel (which houses the restaurant). The huge 200-seat space (with a long 38-seat bar) is highlighted by wavy Roman-inspired black-and-white floor tiles and globe-shaped wall lights that help keep the space relatively dim. The menu stretches from the tip to top of the boot with dishes like short-rib carpaccio sprinkled with black truffles, and pastas filled with rich edible jewels such as duck and pancetta. Ballers might opt for the $120 lardo-encrusted, dry-aged, bone-in New York strip for two. The wine list, separated by the regions of Italy, offers some surprisingly affordable bottles. | Average main: $30 | 88 9th Ave. , Meatpacking District | 212/977–6096 | www.lasirena-nyc.com | Reservations essential | Station: A, C, E to 14th St.

Spice Market.
$$ | ASIAN | Set in a cavernous space amid embroidered curtains and artifacts from Burma, India, and Malaysia, chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s playful take on Southeast Asian street food keeps you asking the waiters, “What exactly was in that?” Sometimes the playfulness works, sometimes it doesn’t, but don’t miss the steamed lobster with garlic, ginger, and dried chili, or the squid salad with papaya and cashews. This may not be the hottest new restaurant on the block anymore, but it’s still a fun Meatpacking venue with food that doesn’t disappoint. | Average main: $23 | 403 W. 13th St., at 9th Ave. , Meatpacking District | 212/675–2322 | www.spicemarketnewyork.com | Reservations essential | Station: A, C, E to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

The Standard Grill.
$$$ | AMERICAN | Hotelier Andre Balazs created a scene for celebs, fashion-industry insiders, and the common folk, too, who all cluster at this buzzy restaurant inside the Standard Hotel. In warm weather, the spacious outdoor seating area is perfect for sampling creative cocktails; there’s an indoor bar, too, and two dining rooms—a casual one in front and a larger room in back, with a floor whimsically made up of thousands of glittering pennies. The menu is comfort-luxe, with dishes like roast chicken for two in a cast-iron skillet and delicious moist trout with a currant-and-pine-nut relish. For dessert, there’s a nearly obscene chocolate mousse that comes with silicone spatulas in lieu of spoons. A late-night menu is served until 4 am. | Average main: $30 | 848 Washington St., between Little W. 12th and 13th Sts. , Meatpacking District | 212/645–4100 | www.thestandardgrill.com | Station: A, C, E to 14th St.; L to 8th Ave.

Untitled at the Whitney.
$$$ | AMERICAN | Located in the handsome Renzo Piano–designed Whitney Museum of American Art at the southern end of the High Line, restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Untitled isn’t necessarily the masterpiece in his collection of great restaurants, but the minimalist-design eatery is definitely worth a look (and a bite). Chef Michael Anthony (who does double duty here and at the outstanding Gramercy Tavern) puts his usual (and admirable) spin on everything: namely, deceptively simple dishes that explode with flavor. Roasted fried chicken paired with polenta, and fettuccine with bacon and white cheddar are just a couple of the artistically tasty dishes worth trying. | Average main: $25 | Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort St. , Meatpacking District | 212/570–3670 | www.untitledatthewhitney.com | Station: A, C, E to 14th St.

Union Square with the Flatiron District and Gramercy

Union Square

Once the main spot in New York to go for protests, Union Square is now the stage for another type of communal experience: breaking bread. There is no shortage of appealing options at any price range (including picnic provisions from the wonderful greenmarket, open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday).

All’onda.
$$$ | ITALIAN | While this stylish restaurant bills itself as serving “modern Venetian cuisine,” it’s more as if Japanese chefs quietly invaded Venice and begin updating the dishes. Chef Chris Jaeckle sneaks Asian elements into the otherwise Italian menu, emboldening the dishes to the tune of utter deliciousness. Truffle risotto has sake mash, crab-loaded garganelli has just the right touch of yuzu, and thick bucatini noodles are interlaced with fresh uni. There is, of course, more to the Japanese-accented Italian menu than just pasta: the juicy porchetta (laced with a seaweed salsa verde, naturally) and the tender short rib, paired with saffron risotto, are winning entrées. You’ll want to say “grazie ” or perhaps “arigato ” to the chef on your way out. | Average main: $26 | 22 E. 13th St. , Union Square | 212/231–2236 | www.allondanyc.com | Closed Mon. | Station: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R to 14th St.–Union Square .

Fodor’s Choice | Gotham Bar & Grill.
$$$$ | AMERICAN | A culinary landmark, Gotham Bar & Grill is every bit as thrilling as when it opened in 1984. Celebrated chef Alfred Portale, who made the blueprint for “architectural food”—that is, towers of stacked ingredients—builds on a foundation of simple, clean flavors. People come for Portale’s transcendent preparations: no rack of lamb is more tender, no seafood salad sweeter. The stellar 20,000-bottle cellar provides the perfect accompaniments—at a price. The three-course $38 greenmarket-driven prix-fixe lunch, served weekdays from noon to 2:15, is a steal, even if it’s not as sophisticated as dinner. Take a stroll through the Union Square Greenmarket before or after lunch to see the chef’s inspirations. Desserts are also memorable. | Average main: $42 | 12 E. 12th St., between 5th Ave. and University Pl. , Union Square | 212/620–4020 | www.gothambarandgrill.com | No lunch weekends | Station: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R to 14th St.–Union Sq.

Republic.
$$ | ASIAN | When Republic first opened, it was one of very few places to get an Asian-style noodle bowl with a stylish edge. Many have followed in its footsteps—and some are better—but for window-shoppers, greenmarketers, and anyone else in the Union Square area, this is a fun stop for a meal. The look is a cross between a downtown art gallery and a Japanese school cafeteria, and the young waitstaff dressed in black T-shirts and jeans hold remote-control ordering devices to accelerate the already speedy service. Sit at the long, bluestone bar or at the picnic-style tables, and order appetizers such as smoky grilled eggplant and luscious fried wontons. Spicy coconut chicken soup and Vietnamese-style barbecue pork are menu standouts. | Average main: $15 | 37 Union Sq. W, between 16th and 17th Sts. , Union Square | 212/627–7172 | www.thinknoodles.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R to 14th St.–Union Sq.

Rosa Mexicano.
$$$ | MODERN MEXICAN | The idea that you can’t find good south-of-the-border cuisine in the Big Apple is quickly fading, thanks in part to this Union Square restaurant (there are several other locations in the city too, including ones at Lincoln Center and TriBeCa). Although the spacious, colorfully lighted interior might tip you off that authenticity is best sought elsewhere, if you’re looking for high-quality, well-executed Mex-flavored fare, step right up, hombre. Start with an order of guac (made table-side), moving on to the pork belly and scallop tacos, soul-comforting chicken tortilla pie, or the crispy pork shank—all of which taste better with a margarita. The daily happy hour at the bar is a great deal but gets crowded. | Average main: $28 | 9 E. 18th St., between 5th Ave. and Broadway , Union Square | 212/533–3350 | www.rosamexicano.com | Station: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R to 14th St.–Union Sq.

Tocqueville.
$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | Hidden just steps from busy Union Square, this refined dining oasis is a secret even to many New Yorkers. Enter through the austere reception area, past the heavy curtains and six-seat bar, and find the intimate dining area where chef and owner Marco Moreira’s signature starter is the unctuous angel hair sea-urchin carbonara. Main courses are steeped in French tradition, with international flavors like saffron-and-fennel-spiked grilled octopus, and smoked duck breast paired with baby bok choy and Asian pear. The three-course $29 prix-fixe lunch is the ultimate deal. Jacket and tie are recommended. | Average main: $32 | 1 E. 15th St., between 5th Ave. and Union Sq. W , Union Square | 212/647–1515 | www.tocquevillerestaurant.com | No lunch Sun. | Reservations essential | Station: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R to 14th St.–Union Sq.

Flatiron District

The popular Union Square Greenmarket has done wonders for the dining landscape in the area. Chefs, wanting to be close to the green bounty, have opened up restaurants nearby, particularly in the Flatiron District.

ABC Kitchen.
$$$ | AMERICAN | Much more than a shopping break, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s popular restaurant, inside posh housewares emporium ABC Carpet and Home, is more like a love letter to greenmarket cuisine. Underneath the exposed concrete beams, a chic crowd devours fresh, flavorful appetizers like the roasted carrot salad with avocado, crème fraîche, and toasted pumpkin seeds, or pretzel-dusted calamari. Winning entrées include roast suckling pig with smoked bacon marmalade and sea bass with chilies and herbs. The restaurant is committed to all the right causes—environmentalism, sustainability, supporting local farmers—all of which are announced in a near manifesto-length list on the back of the menu; thankfully, ABC Kitchen pulls it off without seeming patronizing or preachy. | Average main: $29 | 35 E. 18th St., between Broadway and Park Ave. S , Flatiron District | 212/475–5829 | www.abckitchennyc.com | Reservations essential | Station: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R to 14th St.–Union Sq.

Aldea.
$$$ | PORTUGUESE | Bouley alumnus George Mendes’s popular restaurant relies on his Portuguese heritage as inspiration, which he elevates to new heights. Although there are no bad seats in this sleek bi-level space decorated with wood, glass, and blue accents, watching Mendes work in his spotless tiled kitchen from one of the seats at the chef’s counter in the back is undeniably exciting. Petiscos (small bites) like cubes of crisp pork belly with apple cider reveal sophisticated cooking techniques and flavors. A delicate matsutake mushroom broth floated with a slow-poached egg is edged with a subtle brace of pine, while sea-salted cod reveals a deep, satisfying flavor strata. | Average main: $34 | 31 W. 17th St., between 5th and 6th Aves. , Flatiron District | 212/675–7223 | www.aldearestaurant.com | Closed Sun. No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R to 14th St.–Union Sq.; F, M to 14th St.

Boqueria.
$$ | SPANISH | Perennially packed, this convivial tapas spot has leather banquettes lining the main room and a few seats at the bar, but if you want to make friends, opt for the communal table running down the center of the dining room—if you can get a seat. Fried quail eggs and chorizo on roasted bread are even better than they sound, and the mushroom and ham croquettes are a mainstay. Traditional churros come with a thick hot chocolate for dipping. The original spot in the Flatiron District was so popular it spawned an offshoot in SoHo, at 171 Spring Street. | Average main: $20 | 53 W. 19th St., between 5th and 6th Aves. , Flatiron District | 212/255–4160 | www.boquerianyc.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: 1 to 18th St.; F, M to 14th St.; L to 6th Ave.; N, R to 23rd St.

Fodor’s Choice | The Breslin Bar and Dining Room.
$$$ | BRITISH | A sceney meatopia inside the ever-trendy Ace Hotel, the Breslin is not for the Lipitor crowd. English chef April Bloomfield, who also runs the John Dory right next door and the excellent Spotted Pig in the West Village, hardens arteries with peanuts fried in pork fat, whipped lardo on pizza bianca, blood sausage accompanied by a fried duck egg, and a delicious feta-topped lamb burger. The dimly lighted, wood-bedecked interior is like a culinary womb, inspiring thoughts of planting yourself there all day or night nursing pints of cask-conditioned ale or scotch-based cocktails—you wouldn’t be the first (or last). | Average main: $30 | 16 W. 29th St., at Broadway , Flatiron District | 212/679–1939 | www.thebreslin.com | Station: N, R to 28th St.

The City Bakery.
$ | AMERICAN | This self-service bakery-restaurant has the urban aesthetic to match its name. Chef and owner Maury Rubin’s baked goods—giant cookies; addictively flaky, salty-sweet pretzel croissants; elegant caramel tarts—are unfailingly rich and delicious, but another major draw is the salad bar. It may seem overpriced, but the large selection of impeccably fresh food, including whole sides of baked salmon, roasted vegetables, soups, and several Asian-accented dishes, delivers a lot of bang for the buck. Much of the produce comes from the nearby farmers’ market. In winter, the bakery hosts a hot-chocolate festival; in summer, it’s lemonade time. | Average main: $12 | 3 W. 18th St., between 5th and 6th Aves. , Flatiron District | 212/366–1414 | www.thecitybakery.com | No dinner | Reservations not accepted | Station: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R to 14th St.–Union Sq.; F, M to 14th St.

The Clocktower.
$$$ | BRITISH | Located in an actual clocktower (which also houses the New York EDITION Hotel), this Madison Square Park spot is helmed by British superchef Jason Atherton who presides over the high-ceilinged, dark-hued dining room that feels like an adult clubhouse. Best described as elevated tavern fare, the menu offers diners choices like the supertender red-wine-braised beef cheeks and comforting oxtail-spiked mac ‘n’ cheese. Skip the overpriced wine list (unless, of course, you’re on an expense account) and head straight for the handful of signature cocktails. The Milk Punch is loaded with cognac, applejack, and buttermilk, and served in a plastic cup reminiscent of a cardboard milk container—just in case you started to feel too adult here. | Average main: $33 | Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. Tower, 5 Madison Ave., 2nd fl. , Flatiron District | 212/413–4300 | www.theclocktowernyc.com | Station: N, R to 23rd St.

Fodor’s Choice | Cosme.
$$$ | MEXICAN | When Enrique Olvera, chef at Pujol, arguably Mexico’s best restaurant, announced he was coming north of the border, New York foodies went loco. Olvera’s haute touch to his native cuisine is magic and, coupled with the sleek design (soft lighting, minimalist decor), Cosme makes for one fine dining experience. Sip an Expat martini (it comes with a pickled tomatilla pepper floating in it) and peruse the menu of small plates: start with the hamachi crudo, impossibly complex, with lime and chili bringing out a charge in the fish; and move on to lobster pibil with chorizo, which beautifully marries the surf-and-turf concept. | Average main: $31 | 35 E. 21st St. , Flatiron District | 212/913–9659 | www.cosmenyc.com | Reservations essential | Station: N, R, 6 to 23rd St.

Craft.
$$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | A meal here is like a luscious choose-your-own-adventure game since every delectable dish comes à la carte. Craft is the flagship of Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio’s mini-empire of excellent restaurants around the country, including the upscale Craftbar and Craftsteak brands, as well as grab-and-go sandwich bars called ‘wichcraft. Just about everything here is exceptionally prepared with little fuss, from simple yet intriguing starters (like harissa-spiked octopus) and sides (including the justly famous variety of roasted mushrooms, with oysters, trumpets, chanterelles, and hen-of-the-woods) to desserts (warm chocolate tart with buttermilk ice cream, cinnamon custard, and cashews). The serene dining room of burnished dark wood and dangling radiant bulbs is more welcoming than it sounds. | Average main: $40 | 43 E. 19th St., between Broadway and Park Ave. S , Flatiron District | 212/780–0880 | www.craftrestaurant.com | No lunch weekends | Reservations essential | Station: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R to 14th St.–Union Sq.

Craftbar.
$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | This casual sibling to Tom Colicchio’s Craft is a bargain by comparison but still not cheap, though the food continues to garner raves and the service is consistently excellent. The menu features assertive seasonal cooking similar to what you can find at the upscale flagship just around the corner. The small-plates category on the menu elevates tiny nibbles like sausage-stuffed fried sage leaves or addictive fluffy salt-cod croquettes to temptations that make you forget the main course entirely. The rest of the menu is eclectic enough to satisfy. | Average main: $27 | 900 Broadway, between 19th and 20th Sts. , Flatiron District | 212/461–4300 | www.craftbarnyc.com | Reservations essential | Station: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R to 14th St.–Union Sq.

Dough.
$ | BAKERY | There’s a reason why these doughnuts in multilicious flavors have become a signature at so many cafés throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn—they are the perfect combination of light and airy, with enough substance to not be overwhelmed by toppings. And at the Manhattan outpost of the Bed-Stuy original, you can get them fresh out of the oven. Can’t decide what kind? The hibiscus has just the right amount of tart fruitiness to balance the sweetness of the dough; other favorites include passion fruit, salted chocolate, and cinnamon and sugar. The coffee’s good and the rustic benches mean you can linger long enough to think about going back for another (they taste good the next day, too). | Average main: $4 | 14 W. 19th St. , Flatiron District | 212/243–6844 | www.doughdoughnuts.com | Station: N, R to E. 23rd St.

Eataly.
$$$ | ITALIAN | The cavernous Eataly, from Mario Batali & Co., is a temple to all things Italian. Ignore the overpriced produce market by the front entrance and make a beeline for La Piazza for sandwiches made with meticulously sourced ingredients (you can eat at the stand-up tables nearby). There’s also a full-service pizza and pasta restaurant, a raw bar and fish eatery, and a wine bar for quaffing glass pours and beers on tap. Gourmet Italian chocolates, coffees, gelati, and pastries are all delicious for take-away, too, though still not cheap. Upstairs, the covered, rooftop birrerria is open in all weather and serves hearty Austrian and German food as well as Italian specialties—and excellent beer, of course. | Average main: $25 | 200 5th Ave., at 23rd St. , Flatiron District | 646/398–5100 | www.eataly.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: N, R, 6 to 23rd St.

Fodor’s Choice | Eleven Madison Park.
$$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | Luxury, precision, and creativity are the driving forces at this internationally renowned restaurant overlooking Madison Park. Swiss-born chef Daniel Humm oversees the kitchen, concocting unexpected dishes that change often. It’s entirely prix fixe, and dishes are kept minimalist, giving Humm and company maximum latitude to work their magic on the plate. Not that they’re resting on their laurels and accolades: the restaurant seems to reinvent itself when you least expect it, and its most recent incarnation focuses on elevated versions of classic New York fare. Think cognac-doused, truffle-sprinkled foie gras and Sichuan peppercorn–encrusted duck. Reservations should be made two months in advance. | Average main: $225 | 11 Madison Ave., at 24th St. , Flatiron District | 212/889–0905 | www.elevenmadisonpark.com | No lunch Sun.–Wed. | Reservations essential | Station: N, R, 6 to 23rd St.

Hill Country.
$$ | BARBECUE | This enormous barbecue joint is perfect for big groups and carnivorous appetites. The beef-centric Texas-sized menu features meaty ribs and exceptionally succulent slow-smoked brisket (check your diet at the door and go for the moist, fatty option). Plump pork sausages, in regular and jalapeño cheese versions, are flown in directly from Kreuz Market in Lockhart, Texas. The market-style setup can mean long lines for meat, sold by the pound, or ribs at cutter-manned stations. Bring your tray downstairs for a fine bourbon selection and nightly live music. There’s also an outpost in Brooklyn at 345 Adams Street. | Average main: $21 | 30 W. 26th St., between Broadway and 6th Ave. , Flatiron District | 212/255–4544 | www.hillcountryny.com | Station: N, R, 6 to 28th St.; F, M to 23rd St.

Ilili.
$$ | MIDDLE EASTERN | Famed Washington, D.C., restaurateur and chef Philippe Massoud brings his culinary talents to New York City with this bi-level, 400-seat eatery that showcases cuisine from his native Lebanon. The menu includes standard Middle Eastern fare, but also unexpected dishes like bone marrow with sour-cherry tabbouleh and black cod with fragrant rice and tahini. Waiters never fail to refresh the basket of hot, fluffy, house-baked pita bread. A glass of Lebanese or French wine is a nice accompaniment to the cuisine. Late-night entertainment includes belly dancing. | Average main: $21 | 236 5th Ave., between W. 27th and W. 28th Sts. , Flatiron District | 212/683–2929 | www.ililinyc.com | No lunch weekends | Station: N, R to 28th St.

The John Dory.
$$ | SEAFOOD | Chef April Bloomfield and former rock-band manager turned restaurateur Ken Friedman can do no wrong. After winning taste buds and palates with gastropub Spotted Pig and the Breslin, the duo turned their attention to the sea. Fish tanks with brightly colored reefs and floor-to-ceiling windows create an eye-pleasing venue for the seafood feast that awaits those who snagged tables at this restaurant off the lobby of the hip Ace Hotel. The menu is dominated by small plates—chorizo-stuffed squid, an excellent lobster roll—but focuses on crudo (raw) dishes. The happy-hour special of $2 oysters and half off certain wines and beers is the perfect start to an evening. | Average main: $22 | 1196 Broadway, at 29th St. , Flatiron District | 212/792–9000 | www.thejohndory.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: N, R to 28th St.

Les Halles.
$$ | FRENCH | This local hangout, owned by Philippe Lajaunie since 1990 and benefiting from the celebrity of former executive chef, writer, and TV host Anthony Bourdain (although he has little to do with the restaurant these days), is boisterous and unpretentious—like a true French brasserie. A good bet is the steak frites; its fries are regarded by some as the best in New York. Other prime choices include crispy duck-leg confit with frisée salad, blood sausage with caramelized apples, and steak tartare, prepared table-side. Another Les Halles is in Lower Manhattan at 15 John Street. | Average main: $23 | 411 Park Ave. S, between 28th and 29th Sts. , Flatiron District | 212/679–4111 | www.leshalles.net | Station: 6 to 28th St.

Fodor’s Choice | The NoMad.
$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | Named for the hotel, which itself is named for the up-and-coming neighborhood north of Madison Square Park, the NoMad is brought to you by Daniel Humm and Will Guidara, the masterminds behind much-lauded Eleven Madison Park. The atmosphere is a blend of lively and sophisticated: plush velvet chairs and drapes for the hip young crowd that frequent the place. The food is similarly vibrant yet simple: seared scallops are paired with pumpkin, juicy suckling pig goes very nicely with pear confit and mustard. The poached-egg-and-quinoa dish unexpectedly transforms into a stew once the yolks are broken. The restaurant’s pièce de résistance is the whole roasted chicken for two, which looks basic until the foie gras and black truffles are uncovered. Have a nightcap in the dimly lit and atmospheric Library Bar, which has floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and comfy chairs. | Average main: $34 | 1170 Broadway, at 28th St. , Flatiron District | 347/472–5660 | www.thenomadhotel.com | Reservations essential | Station: N, R to 28th St.

Fodor’s Choice | Shake Shack.
$ | AMERICAN | Although there are other locations of Danny Meyer’s patties ‘n’ shakes joint around town (including Brooklyn), this is where it all began. Here in Madison Square Park, there’s no indoor seating—just snaking outdoor lines. Check the “Shack Cam” from their website to gauge your wait. Fresh Angus beef burgers are ground daily, and a single will run you from $5.29 to $9.64, depending on what you want on it. For a burger on the go, they’re decidedly tasty. For a few more bucks you can order a double, a stack, or a vegetarian ‘Shroom Burger—a superrich, melty, Muenster-and-cheddar-stuffed fried portobello, topped with lettuce, tomato, and Shack sauce. The menu also offers “beef and bird” (chicken) hot dogs, french fries, and a variety of delicious frozen custard desserts, and—of course—shakes. | Average main: $7 | Madison Square Park, near Madison Ave. and 23rd St. , Flatiron District | 212/889–6600 | www.shakeshack.com | Station: N, R, 6 to 23rd St.

Upland.
$$$ | ITALIAN | This collaboration between prolific Philly/NYC restaurateur Stephen Starr and erstwhile Il Buco chef Justin Smilie tastes as if California and Italy miraculously collided. Marrying organic and in-season ingredients with Italian recipes, Upland’s standouts include bucatini alla carbonara that could pass muster with discriminating eaters in the Eternal City or, um, the City of Angels. Of the three Neapolitan-style pizzas on the menu, you have to try the meaty ‘nduja; just try to resist drinking your way through the Italian and California wine list so much that you can’t pronounce it. | Average main: $26 | 345 Park Ave. S , Flatiron District | 212/686–1006 | www.uplandnyc.com | Station: 6 to 28th St.

Gramercy

This leafy, high-rent neighborhood, which has an old-world, old-money feel, is home to a few gems, tucked away down the long blocks of brownstones. Gramercy is a great place for a stroll before dinner.

BLT Prime.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | A masculine, vivacious space is the showcase for bold, appealing Franco-American cuisine. Menu specials are scrawled on a blackboard. Everything is served à la carte, and prices are high, but so is the quality of every dish. Although there are poultry, veal, and lamb dishes on the menu—from lemon-rosemary chicken to a lamb T-bone—steaks are the main event. The dry-aged USDA prime steaks—pulled from a 30-foot-wide dry-aging room—are broiled at 1,700ºF, spread lightly with herb butter, and served with a choice of sauce (the béarnaise is perfection). | Average main: $40 | 111 E. 22nd St., between Lexington and Park Aves. , Gramercy | 212/995–8500 | www.bltprime.com | No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: N, R, 6 to 23rd St.

Casa Mono.
$$ | SPANISH | Andy Nusser put in his time cooking Italian under Mario Batali at Babbo before an obsession with Spain landed him his own acclaimed Iberian niche. The perennially cramped and crowded Casa Mono sends patrons to Bar Jamón, the wine-and-ham-bar annex next door, where you can pick at plates of jamón serrano while awaiting the main feature. Our favorite seats are at the Casa Mono counter overlooking the chef’s open kitchen. Though most menu items are delectably shareable, of particular note are all things seared à la plancha (grilled on a metal plate), including blistered peppers and garlic-kissed mushrooms. Like his mentor, Nusser has a weakness for the neglected cuts of meat, so check your food fears at the door. | Average main: $21 | 52 Irving Pl., at 17th St. , Gramercy | 212/253–2773 | www.casamononyc.com | Station: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R to 14th St.–Union Sq.

Gramercy Tavern.
$$$$ | AMERICAN | Danny Meyer’s intensely popular restaurant tops many a New Yorker’s list of favorite dining spots. In front, the first-come, first-served tavern has a lighter menu—including a value-packed three-course prix fixe—along with great craft beers and cocktails scrawled on a board at the bar. The more formal dining room has a prix-fixe American menu, where choices include seasonal dishes such as marinated sea scallops with pickled peppers and fresh grapes, and rack of lamb with sunchokes, hazelnuts, and exotic mushrooms. Meyer’s restaurants—he owns several well-regarded eateries in the city—are renowned for their food and hospitality, and Gramercy Tavern sets the standard. | Average main: $37 | 42 E. 20th St., between Broadway and Park Ave. S , Gramercy | 212/477–0777 | www.gramercytavern.com | Reservations essential | Station: N, R, 6 to 23rd St.

Maialino.
$$$ | ROMAN | Named for its signature dish—suckling pig—the perpetually packed restaurant in the Gramercy Park Hotel is what it might look like if Manhattan and Rome collided: fashionable people eating in an Eternal City ambience. If you haven’t been to the Italian capital in a while, there’s plenty to reintroduce your taste buds to la dolce vita : excellent fried artichokes, spaghetti alla carbonara (made with guanciale, or pig cheek, just like in Rome), and sausage-studded pasta dish lumaconi alla Norcia . It’s enough to make a toast to the good life—that is, if your dining companions can hear you over the chatter of the fashion models and bankers at surrounding tables. | Average main: $27 | 2 Lexington Ave., at 21st St. , Gramercy | 212/777–2410 | www.maialinonyc.com | Reservations essential | Station: 6 to 23rd St.

Midtown East with Murray Hill

Midtown East

Midtown East’s streets are relatively quiet at night and on weekends, but during the week, the restaurants are filled with expense-account diners celebrating their successes. Indeed, some of the most formal dining rooms and most expensive meals in town can be found here.

Aquavit and Aquavit Café.
$$$$ | SCANDINAVIAN | This elegant and refined Scandinavian restaurant has seen a transition in the kitchen these last few years, going from Marcus Samuelsson to Marcus Jernmark, until he, too, exited. The place is now in steady hands with Emma Bengtsson at the helm. The elegant atmosphere features warm woods and modern Scandinavian design. There are a few options here: a $145 eight-course meal, $95 three-course affair, and a $115 six-course dinner that changes according to the season. Standout dishes include foie gras paired with licorice, sweetbreads paired with sauerkraut, venison tartare, and for dessert, smoked vanilla crème brûlée. Head to the sumptuous bar area to sample house-made aquavit. | Average main: $75 | 65 E. 55th St., between Madison and Park Aves. , Midtown East | 212/307–7311 | www.aquavit.org | Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. | Reservations essential | Station: E, M to 5th Ave./53rd St.

BLT Steak.
$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | Chef Laurent Tourondel may no longer be involved with his namesake steak house, but this classy space, decked out in beige with resin-top black tables, still draws crowds. As soon as you’re settled, puffy Gruyère popovers arrive still steaming. The no-muss, no-fuss menu is nonetheless large, and so are the portions of supple crab cakes with celery-infused mayonnaise and luscious ruby tuna tartare with avocado, ramped up with soy-lime dressing. A veal chop crusted with rosemary and Parmesan lends new depth to the meat. Sides and desserts, like a killer peanut-butter chocolate mousse with banana ice cream, are all superior. | Average main: $35 | 106 E. 57th St., between Lexington and Park Aves. , Midtown East | 212/752–7470 | www.bltsteak.com | No lunch weekends | Reservations essential | Station: 4, 5, 6, N, R, Q to 59th St./Lexington Ave.

Fig & Olive.
$$$ | MEDITERRANEAN | Both the cozy tables and the long white marble bar are great options at this bi-level Mediterranean spot with a loyal following. Lunch is an ideal time to partake of shared plates like mix-and-match crostini (available in multiples of three or six), cheeses, and meats—not to mention soups, salads, and panini. At night, the place becomes more see-and-be-seen, but the food is still as attractive to the palate as the diners are to the eyes. Feast on truffle risotto or rosemary-spiked pork chops and finish it all off with the crème brûlée cheesecake. | Average main: $27 | 10 E. 52nd St., at 5th Ave. , Midtown East | 212/319–2002 | www.figandolive.com | No lunch weekends | Reservations essential .

Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant.
$$$ | SEAFOOD | Deep in the belly of Grand Central Station, the vast Oyster Bar has been a worthy seafood destination since 1913. Sit at the counter for the fried oyster po’boy or to slurp an assortment of bracingly fresh oysters before a steaming bowl of clam chowder, washed down with an ice-cold beer. This is also the place to experience the pleasure of fresh, unadorned seafood, such as lobster with drawn butter or grilled herring in season—generally better options than anything that sounds too complicated, like a cream-smothered seafood pan roast. | Average main: $30 | Grand Central Terminal, dining concourse, 42nd St. at Vanderbilt Ave. , Midtown East | 212/490–6650 | www.oysterbarny.com | Closed Sun. | Station: 4, 5, 6, 7, S to Grand Central–42nd St.

Kurumazushi.
$$$$ | JAPANESE | Only a small sign in Japanese indicates the location of this extraordinary restaurant that serves sushi and sashimi exclusively. Bypass the tables, sit at the sushi bar, and put yourself in the hands of Toshihiro Uezu, the chef and owner. Among the selections are hard-to-find fish that Uezu imports directly from Japan. The most attentive, pampering staff in the city completes the wildly expensive experience. The showstopping chef’s omakase, priced at whatever the market dictates and the type of fish on offer, could run as much as $300, but it’s a multicourse feast you’ll never forget. | Average main: $175 | 7 E. 47th St., 2nd fl., between 5th and Madison Aves. , Midtown East | 212/317–2802 | www.kurumazushi.com | Closed Sun. | Reservations essential | Station: 4, 5, 6, 7, S to Grand Central–42nd St.

Le Cirque.
$$$$ | FRENCH | Impresario-owner Sirio Maccioni still presides over this dining room, filled nightly with a “who’s who” of politics, business, and society—regulars who’ve table-hopped from Le Cirque’s first incarnation to its latest, in a glass-enclosed aerie on the ground floor of the Bloomberg headquarters. The menu strikes a balance between the creative and classic: Dover sole, filleted table-side, gives way to more avant-garde preparations like foie-gras ravioli. Desserts, too, have a split personality, with the menu divided into the “classic” and “new.” The foot-tall napoleon that seems to arrive at every second table is an old favorite, but newer creations like the praline tortellini with exotic fruit also satisfy. Though jackets are still required in the dining room, things are more relaxed in the casual wine lounge. | Average main: $60 | 151 E. 58th St., at Lexington Ave. , Midtown East | 212/644–0202 | www.lecirque.com | Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. | Reservations essential | Station: 4, 5, 6 to 59th St.; N, Q, R to Lexington Ave./59th St.

Michael Jordan’s The Steakhouse NYC.
$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | Don’t be dissuaded by the fact that this place is technically part of a chain: there’s nowhere remotely like it. The handsomely appointed space in Grand Central Terminal, hung with gracious filigree chandeliers, overlooks one of the most famous interiors in America. Start with the stack of soft, toasted bread soldiers in a pool of hot Gorgonzola fondue. Pristine oysters make a great prelude for a prime dry-aged rib eye or a 2½-pound lobster, grilled, steamed, sautéed, or broiled. Sides, like creamy mac ‘n’ cheese and a crispy rosemary hash-brown cake, are equally tempting. | Average main: $34 | Grand Central Terminal, West Balcony, 23 Vanderbilt Ave., between 43rd and 44th Sts. , Midtown East | 212/655–2300 | www.michaeljordansnyc.com | No lunch weekends | Reservations essential | Station: 4, 5, 6, 7, S to Grand Central–42nd St.

Mint Restaurant & Lounge.
$$ | INDIAN | With a delightful dining room splashed with bright colors and flattering lighting, and executive chef and owner Gary Sikka’s brightly seasoned dishes, Mint has joined the ranks of the best Indian restaurants in town. The large menu includes rarely encountered specialties from Goa and Sikkim. Freshly grilled, moist ground lamb kebabs deliver a slow burn to the palate. Chili heat punctuates other spices in the lamb vindaloo, resulting in a well-rounded array of savory flavors. Finish with carrot pudding with saffron and coconut flakes. | Average main: $22 | 150 E. 50th St. , Midtown East | 212/644–8888 | www.mintny.com | Station: 6 to 51st St.; E, M to Lexington Ave./53rd St.

P. J. Clarke’s.
$$ | AMERICAN | This East Side institution has been dispensing burgers and beer for more than a century. Despite renovations and several owners over the years, the original P. J. Clarke’s (there are offshoots in Lincoln Square and Chelsea) maintains the beveled-glass and scuffed-wood look of an old-time saloon. Many of the bartenders and patrons are as much a part of the decor as the light fixtures. More civilized at lunchtime, the bar area heaves with an after-work mob on weekday evenings. Pull up a stool if you can for superlative bar food, like clams casino and the signature burger smothered in creamy béarnaise. | Average main: $18 | 915 3rd Ave., at 55th St. , Midtown East | 212/317–1616 | www.pjclarkes.com | Station: E, M to 5th Ave./53rd St.; N, Q, R to Lexington Ave./59th St.; 4, 5, 6 to 59th St.

Pio Pio.
$$$ | PERUVIAN | You come for the Peruvian rotisserie chicken, but you’ll remember Pio Pio’s addictive, secret-recipe green sauce most. The $9.50 weekday lunch special (11–4), which includes a quarter chicken, salad, a side, and a soda, is enough for two meals. There are also locations in Hell’s Kitchen, the Upper West Side, and the Upper East Side. See website for details. | Average main: $25 | 210 E. 34th St., between 2nd and 3rd Aves. , Midtown East | 212/481–0034 | www.piopio.com | Station: 6 to 33rd St.

Shun Lee Palace.
$$$ | CHINESE | If you want inexpensive Cantonese food without pretensions, head to Chinatown. If you prefer to be pampered and don’t mind spending a lot of money, then this is the place, which has been elegantly serving classic Chinese fare for more than four decades. Supposedly the dish orange beef was first made here. Indeed, it’s certainly worth a sample, but there’s so much more. Beijing panfried dumplings make a good starter, and rack of lamb Sichuan-style, grilled with scallions and garlic, is a popular entrée. The “Lion’s Head,” a slow-baked pork dish, is one of the most tender porky things you’ll eat. Beijing duck, served table-side with thin pancakes, is a signature dish here—and for good reason. | Average main: $29 | 155 E. 55th St., between Lexington and 3rd Aves. , Midtown East | 212/371–8844 | www.shunleepalace.net | Reservations essential | Station: N, Q, R to Lexington Ave./59th St.; 4, 5, 6 to 59th St.

Sparks Steakhouse.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | Fans of mob history recognize Sparks as the spot where, in 1985, members of the Gambino crime family were gunned down under the orders of John Gotti. Today it’s less about the mob connections and more about the food here, but still be sure to bring a wad of cash. Magnums of wines that cost more than most people earn in a week festoon the large dining rooms of this classic New York steak house. Tasty, fresh seafood is given more than fair play on the menu, and the extra-thick lamb and veal chops are also noteworthy—but Sparks is really about dry-aged steak. Classic sides of hash browns, creamed spinach, sautéed mushrooms, and grilled onions are all you need to complete the experience—plus maybe a martini. | Average main: $42 | 210 E. 46th St., between 2nd and 3rd Aves. , Midtown East | 212/687–4855 | www.sparkssteakhouse.com | Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. | Reservations essential | Station: 4, 5, 6, 7, S to Grand Central–42nd St.

Sushi Yasuda.
$$$ | JAPANESE | Devotees mourned the return of namesake chef Naomichi Yasuda to Japan, but things are in able hands with his handpicked successor, Mitsuru Tamura. Whether using fish flown in daily from Japan or the creamiest sea urchin, the chef makes sushi so fresh and delicate it melts in your mouth. A number of special appetizers change daily (crispy fried eel backbone is a surprising treat), and the fine selection of sake and beer complements the lovely food. The sleek, bamboo-lined interior is as elegant as the food. Try to sit at the bar, which was handcrafted by Yasuda from imported Japanese materials. | Average main: $33 | 204 E. 43rd St., between 2nd and 3rd Aves. , Midtown East | 212/972–1001 | www.sushiyasuda.com | Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. | Station: 4, 5, 6, 7, S to Grand Central–42nd St.

Murray Hill

This area has a residential feel with plenty of bistros perfect for a casual meal. Lexington Avenue’s “Curry Hill” section between 27th and 29th Streets is home to Indian spice shops, cafés, and restaurants.

Fodor’s Choice | Marta.
$$ | ITALIAN | The excellent cracker-thin crust of the Roman-style pizzas at Marta are a refreshing break from the thicker crust of the Neapolitan pizzas that have overtaken Manhattan in recent years, and we have beloved restaurateur Danny Meyer to thank for it. The high-ceiling dining room belies the casual fare, but the menu is a love letter to salt-of-the-earth Roman food, from the baseball-sized suppli (fried rice balls) to fried squash to those excellent thin pizzas topped with tangy tomato sauce and delicious items like guanciale (pork jowl) and arugula. | Average main: $20 | 29 E. 29th St., at Madison Ave. , Murray Hill | 212/651–3800 | www.martamanhattan.com | Station: 6 to 28th St.

2nd Ave Deli.
$$ | DELI | It may no longer be on 2nd Avenue, but the most recent incarnation of this East Village institution—about a mile uptown, in Midtown—still delivers on its longtime traditional matzo-ball soup, overstuffed three-decker sandwiches filled with house-cured pastrami, and other old-world specialties. Hot open-face sandwiches, like juicy beef brisket served with gravy and french fries, may be a heart attack on a plate, but hey, you only live once. Even better, you can now get your fill of kasha varnishkes, carrot tzimmes, and potato kugel until the wee hours of the night. There’s also an outpost on the Upper East Side. | Average main: $23 | 162 E. 33rd St., between Lexington and 3rd Aves. , Murray Hill | 212/689–9000 | www.2ndavedeli.com | Station: 6 to 33rd St.

Midtown West

It’s true that tourist traps abound on Broadway, but fortunately you needn’t head far from Times Square to score a stellar meal. Just move away from the bright lights and unrelenting foot traffic that clogs the area. On calmer side streets and in adjoining Hell’s Kitchen there are excellent dining options for budget travelers and expense-account diners alike. Some of the best steak houses and Italian restaurants are here, and many eateries offer budget pretheater dinners and prix-fixe lunch menus to draw in new business.

Aureole.
$$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | An island of fine dining just a stone’s throw from bustling Times Square, Aureole is the second act of a New York classic from Charlie Palmer and his executive chef, Marcus Gleadow-Ware. From the street, a curved second-story corridor hosting the restaurant’s storied wine collection beckons. A welcoming front barroom serves a more casual, yet still refined menu with dishes like a cheddar-bacon burger with pickled-ramp mayonnaise. The dining room, with its abundance of flowers, is the place to hobnob with expense-account diners and pretheater revelers. For dinner, starters like the pumpkin risotto with shrimp is a treat, and the $148 “parallel tasting” has the menu’s greatest hits. There is no à la carte option in the main dining room. | Average main: $50 | 135 W. 42nd St., between Broadway and 6th Ave. , Midtown West | 212/319–1660 | www.charliepalmer.com | No lunch weekends | Reservations essential | Station: B, D, F, M to 42nd St.–Bryant Park; 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S to Times Sq.–42nd St.

Bar Americain.
$$$$ | SOUTHERN | Celeb-chef Bobby Flay’s largest Manhattan restaurant is the soaring Bar Americain. The 200-seat, two-story space looks like a dining room on a luxury liner. This is not food for the faint of heart: Flay piles on the butter, cream, and endless varieties of bacon. Southern-inflected brasserie fare includes deviled eggs with smoked shrimp, “secret recipe” fried chicken with black-pepper biscuit, and duck confit flavored with bourbon-based sauce and fig chutney. Slightly naughtier are the éclairs piped with whiskey-infused pastry cream and burnished with a burnt-sugar glaze. Brunch, featuring dishes like biscuits and cream gravy with sausage and scrambled eggs, is delicious. | Average main: $36 | 152 W. 52nd St., between 6th and 7th Aves. , Midtown West | 212/265–9700 | www.baramericain.com | Reservations essential | Station: B, D, E to 7th Ave.; 1, C, E to 50th St.; N, Q, R to 49th St.

Becco.
$$$ | ITALIAN | An ingenious concept makes Becco a prime Restaurant Row choice for time-constrained theatergoers. There are two pricing scenarios: one includes an all-you-can-eat selection of antipasti and three pastas served hot out of pans that waiters circulate around the dining room; the other adds a generous entrée to the mix. The pasta selection changes daily, but often includes gnocchi, fresh ravioli, and fettuccine in a cream sauce. The entrées include braised veal shank, grilled double-cut pork chop, and rack of lamb, among other selections. | Average main: $25 | 355 W. 46th St., between 8th and 9th Aves. , Midtown West | 212/397–7597 | www.becco-nyc.com | Station: A, C, E to 42nd St.–Port Authority .

Benoit.
$$$ | FRENCH | Who needs to go to Paris when the world’s most famous French chef, Alain Ducasse, can come to you? The interior of Ducasse’s imported Right Bank bistro—cozy red-velour banquettes and wall lamps illuminating each table—is plucked straight from the City of Light. So is the menu, which doesn’t reinvent anything as much as it replicates. And that’s okay, especially when the fennel-inflected loup de mer (sea bass) or the tender roasted veal loin are so well executed. It’s not exactly cheap for simple bistro fare. Then again, neither is a round-trip ticket to Paris. | Average main: $29 | 60 W. 55th St., between 5th and 6th Aves. , Midtown West | 646/943–7373 | www.benoitny.com | No credit cards | Station: N, Q, R to 5th Ave./59th St.; F to 57th St.

Brasserie Ruhlmann.
$$$ | BRASSERIE | In a plush 120-seat dining room with just enough Art Deco touches to harmonize with its Rockefeller Center setting, sublime French bistro cookery is on display. The room has a refined air but the staff is so friendly that the place could never be stuffy. The raw bar, with its selection of pedigreed oysters, is a great way to begin, or opt for a blue crab salad over mâche with a honey-lime vinaigrette. If it’s on the menu, order braised rabbit nestled in mustard cream on a bed of fresh pappardelle, sprinkled with pitted cherries. Desserts like Floating Island—delicately baked meringue floating on a pond of crème anglaise—are embellished with a flurry of spun sugar. | Average main: $29 | 45 Rockefeller Plaza, 50th St. between 5th and 6th Aves. , Midtown West | 212/974–2020 | www.brasserieruhlmann.com | No dinner Sun. | Reservations essential | Station: B, D, F, M to 47th–50th Sts./Rockefeller Center; E, M to 5th Ave./53rd St.

Fodor’s Choice | Burger Joint.
$ | BURGER | What’s a college burger bar, done up in particleboard and rec-room design straight out of Happy Days, doing inside a five-star Midtown hotel? This tongue-in-cheek lunch spot, hidden behind a heavy red-velvet curtain in the Parker Meridien hotel, does such boisterous midweek business that lines often snake through the lobby (which means you’re best off coming at noon or earlier). Behind the curtain you can find baseball-cap-wearing, grease-spattered cooks dispensing paper-wrapped cheeseburgers and crisp, thin fries. Forget Kobe beef or foie gras—these burgers are straightforward, cheap, and delicious. There’s a second location, serving inferior burgers, at 33 West 8th Street in Greenwich Village. | Average main: $9 | Le Parker Meridien, 119 W. 56th St., between 6th and 7th Aves. , Midtown West | 212/708–7414 | www.burgerjointny.com | Station: N, Q, R to 57th St.–7th Ave.; F to 57th St.

Carmine’s.
$$$ | ITALIAN | Savvy New Yorkers line up early for the affordable family-style meals at this large, busy Midtown eatery. Family photos line the walls, and there’s a convivial feeling amid all the Times Square hubbub. Don’t be fooled: Carmine’s may be huge, but it fills up with families carbo-loading for a day of sightseeing or a night of theater on Broadway. Hungry diners are rewarded with mountains of such popular, toothsome viands as fried calamari, linguine with white clam sauce, chicken parmigiana, and veal saltimbocca. | Average main: $25 | 200 W. 44th St., between Broadway and 8th Ave. , Midtown West | 212/221–3800 | www.carminesnyc.com | Station: A, C, E to 42nd St.–Port Authority; 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S to Times Sq.–42nd St.

Danji.
$$ | KOREAN | Diminutive and dark, Danji is no ordinary Korean restaurant. Helmed by talented chef Hooni Kim, this Hell’s Kitchen spot stands out among the rows of restaurants that attract theatergoing tourists to the neighborhood. That’s because Kim’s take on Korean cuisine is inventive and inspired. The menu is split up between small, medium, and large plates, each category a combination of traditional Korean fare and more experimental dishes. Indulge in everything from taste-bud-burning Korean chicken wings to unctuous pork-belly sliders. Then count your blessings that you’re not eating a mediocre meal like the rest of the out-of-town visitors in the neighborhood. | Average main: $20 | 346 W. 52nd St., between 8th and 9th Aves. , Midtown West | 212/586–2880 | www.danjinyc.com | Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. | Station: C, E to 50th St.

db Bistro Moderne.
$$$ | FRENCH | Daniel Boulud’s “casual bistro” (it’s neither, actually) consists of two elegantly appointed dining rooms. The menu features classic dishes like Nantucket Bay scallops or hanger steak exquisitely prepared. Ever the trendsetter, Boulud’s $35 “db” hamburger stuffed with braised short ribs, foie gras, and black truffles, is the patty credited with kick-starting the whole gourmet burger trend. Although it may not be the trendy destination it once was, it’s still a treat and worth every penny. The service is friendly without being overbearing. | Average main: $33 | 55 W. 44th St., between 5th and 6th Aves. , Midtown West | 212/391–2400 | www.dbbistro.com | Reservations essential | Station: B, D, F, M to 42nd St.–Bryant Park; 7 to 5th Ave.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner.
$$ | AMERICAN | If you haven’t had enough Broadway singing and dancing, you’ll get a kick out of Ellen’s, a retro, 1950s-style diner, complete with a singing waitstaff. The menu focuses on all-American classics like meat loaf and chicken potpie, and the waiters and waitresses serenading you on roller skates have the talent to prove this restaurant is right on Broadway. It’s the kind of over-the-top family fun you’d expect from the Times Square location, so don’t expect a sophisticated—or quiet—dining experience. | Average main: $20 | 1650 Broadway, at 51st St. , Midtown West | 212/956–5151 | www.ellensstardustdiner.com | Station: 1 to 50th St.; B, D, E to 7th Ave.

Esca.
$$$ | SEAFOOD | The name is Italian for “bait,” and this restaurant, courtesy of partners Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, and longtime chef David Pasternack, lures diners in with delectable crudo preparations—such as tilefish with orange and Sardinian oil or pink snapper with a sprinkle of crunchy red clay salt—and hooks them with entrées like whole, salt-crusted branzino, sea bass for two, or bucatini pasta with spicy baby octopus. The menu changes daily. Bastianich is in charge of the wine cellar, so expect an adventurous list of Italian bottles. | Average main: $34 | 402 W. 43rd St., at 9th Ave. , Midtown West | 212/564–7272 | www.esca-nyc.com | No lunch Sun. | Reservations essential | Station: A, C, E to 42nd St.–Port Authority .

Five Napkin Burger.
$$ | BURGER | This perennially packed Hell’s Kitchen burger place and brasserie has been a magnet for burger lovers since day one. Bottles of Maker’s Mark line the sleek, alluringly lighted bar in the back, a collection of antique butcher’s scales hangs on a tile wall near the kitchen, and meat hooks dangle from the ceiling between light fixtures. Though there are many menu distractions—deep-fried pickles and warm artichoke dip, to name a few—the main attractions are the juicy burgers, like the original 10-ounce chuck with a tangle of onions, Gruyère cheese, and rosemary aioli. There’s a patty option for everyone, including a ground lamb kofta and an onion-ring-topped ahi tuna burger. For dessert, have an überthick black-and-white malted milk shake. | Average main: $16 | 630 9th Ave., at 45th St. , Midtown West | 212/757–2277 | www.5napkinburger.com | Station: A, C, E to 42nd St.–Port Authority .

Havana Central.
$$ | CUBAN | A little slice of Havana smack in the center of the Big Apple, Havana Central is a great place for reasonably priced group dining and sampling Cuban-Latino standards like garlicky chicken, hearty oxtail stew, guava-glazed pork ribs, pineapple-spiked chicken, and well-seasoned skirt steak with a cucumber-and-mango salad. There’s a huge list of rums and a full menu of tropical-flavored mojitos, including coconut, blueberry, and passion fruit. At the Cuban brunch don’t miss the dolce de leche French toast. | Average main: $20 | 151 W. 46th St., between 6th and 7th Aves. , Midtown West | 212/398–7440 | www.havanacentral.com | Station: N, Q, R to 49th St.; B, D, F, M to 47–50 Sts./Rockefeller Center .

La Bonne Soupe.
$$ | FRENCH | Midtown office workers and in-the-know out-of-towners keep this French restaurant bustling for the ever-popular La Bonne Soupe special—you get a bowl of their excellent soup with bread, salad, a beverage (house wine, beer, soda, or coffee), and dessert for $22. À la carte options include bistro classics like crêpes, omelets, salads, quiche, sandwiches, and croques madame and monsieur. It’s not the hippest place in town, but you leave satisfied. There’s often a line at lunchtime, but there are two floors of tables so you won’t go hungry for long. | Average main: $18 | 48 W. 55th St., between 5th and 6th Aves. , Midtown West | 212/586–7650 | www.labonnesoupe.com | Station: B, D, F, M to 47th–50th Sts./Rockefeller Center .

The Lambs Club.
$$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | Restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian’s opulent supper club on the ground floor of the Chatwal Hotel has superb Art Deco detailing, blood-red leather banquettes, and a roaring fireplace. Cocktails are concocted by hipster mixologist Sasha Petraske, who eschews the experimental in favor of classics like the sidecar and the martini, done well. The food is typical Zakarian, meaning new American cuisine with luxe touches in dishes like veal sweetbreads with peppered jus and grilled Treviso lettuce, or seared scallops with porcini mushrooms and Indian-spiced sauce. The lunchtime menu is padded with appealing choices, but the sleeper meal here is breakfast. Dishes like a house-made biscuit with fried egg, bacon, and cheddar, or fluffy lemon-ricotta pancakes, fill you up for the rest of the day. | Average main: $36 | 132 W. 44th St., between 6th Ave. and Broadway , Midtown West | 212/997–5262 | www.thelambsclub.com | Station: 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S to Times Sq.–42nd St.; B, D, F, M to 47th–50th Sts./Rockefeller Center .

Fodor’s Choice | Le Bernardin.
$$$$ | SEAFOOD | Owner Maguy LeCoze presides over the teak-panel dining room at this trendsetting French seafood restaurant, and chef and partner Eric Ripert works magic with anything that swims—preferring at times not to cook it at all. Deceptively simple dishes such as poached lobster in rich coconut-ginger soup or crispy spiced black bass in a Peking duck bouillon are typical of his style. It’s widely agreed that there’s no beating Le Bernardin for thrilling cuisine, seafood or otherwise, coupled with some of the finest desserts in town and a wine list as deep as the Atlantic. It’s prix-fixe only, and there are nonfish options (pasta and meat) available on request. | Average main: $155 | 155 W. 51st St., between 6th and 7th Aves. , Midtown West | 212/554–1515 | www.le-bernardin.com | Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. | Jacket required | Station: 1 to 50th St.; N, Q, R to 49th St.; B, D, E to 7th Ave.

Le Pain Quotidien.
$$ | BAKERY | This international Belgian chain brings its homeland ingredients with it, treating New Yorkers to crusty organic breads, jams, chocolate, and other specialty products. You can grab a snack to go or stay and eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner at communal or private tables with waiter service. Come for a steaming latte and croissant in the morning or a tartine (open-faced sandwich) at noon. There are more than 20 locations throughout Manhattan, including in Central Park. | Average main: $14 | 1271 6th Ave., at 50th St. , Midtown West | 646/462–4165 | www.lepainquotidien.com | Station: B, D, F, M to 47th–50th Sts./Rockefeller Center; N, Q, R to 49th St.; 1 to 50th St.

Lugo Cucina Italiana.
$$ | ITALIAN | The area around Madison Square Garden is a restaurant wasteland with the rare sparkling exception of Lugo Cucina Italiana, founded by an Italian menswear line. Locals rejoiced at the introduction of this spacious Italian “brasserie,” serving comfort food with a dolce-vita twist all day long. Stop by for an espresso and pastry in the morning. Later, a single menu presents lunch, aperitivo, and dinner options, which include grazing portions of salumi, cheeses, and vegetable dishes like eggplant caponata, Tuscan white-bean salad, and grilled zucchini with pine nuts. Fuller meals of Neapolitan-style pizzas, house-made pastas, and grilled meats and fish also are commendable. | Average main: $24 | 1 Penn Plaza, 33rd St. and 8th Ave. , Midtown West | 212/760–2700 | www.lugocaffe.com | Closed weekends | Station: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E to 34th St.–Penn Station .

Má Pêche.
$$$ | ASIAN | Starkly decorated in the basement of the Chambers Hotel, Má Pêche is just blocks from MoMA. As the largest restaurant in David Chang’s empire, you’ve got a decent shot of nabbing a seat. The menus are a bit more refined (and expensive) than those at Momofuku Noodle Bar and Ssäm Bar, with elegantly composed plates that might include lamb shank accompanied by eggplant, raisins, and rice, or seared swordfish with black beans, braised celery, and crisped shallots. On the way out you can pick up sweets from the uptown offshoot of Momofuku Milk Bar, like the addictive, buttery Crack Pie or intriguingly flavored soft-serve. | Average main: $28 | 15 W. 56th St., between 5th and 6th Aves. , Midtown West | 212/757–5878 | www.momofuku.com/ma-peche | Station: F to 57th St.; N, Q, R to 5th Ave./59th St.

Fodor’s Choice | Marea.
$$$ | SEAFOOD | Carefully sourced, meticulously prepared fish and seafood take center stage at this well-pedigreed restaurant. Large picture windows in the dining room look out to expansive views of Central Park South, and silver-dipped shells on pedestals decorate the dining room. No expense is spared in importing the very best of the ocean’s bounty, beginning with crudo dishes—think scallops with orange, wild fennel, and arugula—that are becoming the restaurant’s signature. You’d be remiss, though, if you skipped the pastas that made chef Michael White famous. They’re served here in lusty iterations like rich fusilli with octopus and bone marrow, and spaghetti with sea urchin. Whole fish like roasted turbot and salt-baked snapper are equally showstopping. Service is flawless. | Average main: $27 | 240 Central Park S, between Broadway and 7th Ave. , Midtown West | 212/582–5100 | www.marea-nyc.com | Reservations essential | Station: 1, A, B, C, D to 59th St.–Columbus Circle .

Marseille.
$$ | MEDITERRANEAN | With great food and a convenient location near several Broadway theaters, Marseille is perpetually packed. The Mediterranean creations are continually impressive, including the bouillabaisse, the signature dish of the region for which the restaurant is named—a mélange of mussels, shrimp, and whitefish in a fragrant broth, topped with a garlicky crouton and served with rouille on the side. Also worth a bite or two is the charred octopus with fennel and tomatoes. Leave room for the spongy beignets with chocolate and raspberry dipping sauces. | Average main: $24 | 630 9th Ave., at 44th St. , Midtown West | 212/333–2323 | www.marseillenyc.com | Reservations essential | Station: A, C, E to 42nd St.–Port Authority .

Oceana.
$$$ | SEAFOOD | Entering this restaurant is like walking into the dressy stateroom of a modern luxury ocean liner. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out north and west, and the arrestingly designed raw bar backed with Mediterranean-hue ceramics serves stunningly fresh choices—you would expect gorgeous oysters at a restaurant called Oceana, and you get them. Chef Ben Pollinger has the skill and confidence to serve some of the most vivid and delicious seafood in town. A contemporary appetizer section includes items like marinated cucumber with apple and toasted spices. Grilled whole fish like halibut, swordfish, and crispy wild striped bass are served with a perfect rotating roster of sauces that includes a classic romesco and a grilled pineapple salsa. | Average main: $34 | 120 W. 49th St., at 6th Ave. , Midtown West | 212/759–5941 | www.oceanarestaurant.com | No breakfast or lunch weekends | Reservations essential | Station: B, D, F, M to 47th–50th Sts./Rockefeller Center .

Plataforma Churrascaria Rodizio.
$$$ | BRAZILIAN | This sprawling, boisterous shrine to meat, with its all-you-can-eat, prix-fixe menu, is best experienced with a group of ravenous friends. A caipirinha, featuring cachaça sugarcane liquor, sugar, and lime, kicks things off nicely. Follow up with a trip to the fabulous salad bar, piled with vegetables, meats, and cheeses—but remember, there’s about to be a parade of all manner of grilled meats and poultry, from pork ribs to chicken hearts, delivered to the table on long skewers. Everyone at the table gets a coaster-size disc that’s red on one side and green on the other: turn the green side up when you’re ready for more. Pace yourself so you can try all the different delicacies; it’s definitely a fun evening, but make sure to come hungry. | Average main: $34 | 316 W. 49th St., between 8th and 9th Aves. , Midtown West | 212/245–0505 | www.plataformaonline.com | Reservations essential | Station: C, E to 50th St.

Plaza Food Hall by Todd English.
$$ | ECLECTIC | At the Plaza Food Hall in the basement of the Plaza Hotel, celeb-chef Todd English oversees a series of minirestaurants, each with its own counter and seating ideal for a quick snack or a full-fledged meal. Entry is a little confusing: though the place is made up of individual food concepts, you are seated by a hostess at any available counter. Once settled, get up and survey your choices, then sit down and order from your waiter. There’s a glistening raw bar, a burger joint, and a wood-fired pizza station where you can sample some of English’s iconic pies, such as fig and prosciutto. It’s one of the most varied and affordable daytime food options in an area of town that can still feel like a lunchtime wasteland. | Average main: $18 | Plaza Hotel, 1 W. 59th St., at 5th Ave. , Midtown West | 212/986–9260 | www.theplazany.com/dining/foodhall | Station: N, Q, R to 5th Ave./59th St.

Quality Meats.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | The handsome design at Quality Meats is inspired by classic New York City butcher shops in its use of warm wood, stainless steel, and white marble. Sit at the bar to peruse the extensive menu of wines and single-malt scotches, or sip a classic martini. Then retire to the dining room for memorable fare like the massive chunky crab cake, seared scallops, and sophisticated riffs on steak-house classics like beef Wellington. The grilled bacon, peanut butter, and apple starter is a must for any first-timer. The wine list emphasizes big bold reds, the perfect companion to a rich chunky steak. | Average main: $37 | 57 W. 58th St., near 6th Ave. , Midtown West | 212/371–7777 | www.qualitymeatsnyc.com | No lunch weekends | Reservations essential | Station: F to 57th St.; N, Q, R to 5th Ave./59th St.

Toloache.
$$ | MEXICAN | Make a quick detour off heavily trafficked Broadway into this pleasantly bustling Mexican cantina for one of the best dining options around Times Square. The bi-level eatery has a festive, celebratory vibe, with several seating options: bar, balcony, main dining room, and ceviche bar. Foodies flock here for three types of guacamole (traditional, fruited, and spicy), a trio of well-executed ceviches, and Mexico City–style tacos with Negra Modelo–braised brisket, and quesadillas studded with black truffle and huitlacoche (a corn fungus known as the “Mexican truffle”). There’s an extensive tequila selection—upward of 100 brands. Adventurous palates are drawn to tacos featuring chili-studded dried grasshoppers, lobes of seared foie gras, and caramelized veal sweetbreads. There are two other locations, in Greenwich Village and on the Upper East Side. | Average main: $20 | 251 W. 50th St., near 8th Ave. , Midtown West | 212/581–1818 | www.toloachenyc.com | Station: 1, C, E to 50th St.; N, Q, R to 49th St.

Tulcingo Del Valle Restaurant.
$ | MEXICAN | This authentic Mexican grocery and restaurant serves tacos, tortas, and Pueblan specialties seven days a week from breakfast until dinner. The menu is made up of delights like the cemita , a sesame bun piled high with mild white cheese, whole chipotle peppers, roasted meat, avocado, and papalo, cilantro’s peppery cousin. The real star, though, is the massive chicken mole poblano platter served with rice, beans, guacamole, and tortillas. Look for daily specials. | Average main: $12 | 665 10th Ave., near W. 47th St. , Midtown West | 212/262–5510 | www.tulcingorestaurant.com | Station: C, E to 50th St.

‘21’ Club.
$$$$ | AMERICAN | Tradition’s the thing at this town house landmark, a former speakeasy that opened in 1929. Chef Sylvain Delpique tries to satisfy everyone with standards like the famous ‘21’ burger and Dover sole with brown butter, as well as more modern dishes, such as sautéed pork belly with butternut squash puree, but the food is almost secondary to the restaurant’s storied past. Belongings donated by famous patrons—for example, John McEnroe’s tennis racket or Howard Hughes’s model plane—hang from the ceiling. | Average main: $42 | 21 W. 52nd St., between 5th and 6th Aves. , Midtown West | 212/582–7200 | www.21club.com | Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. | Jacket required | Station: E, M to 5th Ave./53rd St.; B, D, F, M to 47th–50th Sts./Rockefeller Center .

Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | Surpassing even its celebrated flagship restaurant in Bayside, Queens, Uncle Jack’s soars directly into the pantheon of the best steak houses in Manhattan. The space is vast and gorgeously appointed, and service is swift and focused. USDA prime steaks are dry aged for 21 days. Australian lobster tails are so enormous, they have to be served carved, yet the flesh is meltingly tender. Humongous pork chops, dripping with juice, are accompanied by chipotle sauerkraut. Desserts include an excellent 18-year Macallan-scotch-laced bread pudding. It’s hard to go wrong at Jack’s. | Average main: $67 | 440 9th Ave., between 34th and 35th Sts. , Midtown West | 212/244–0005 | www.unclejacks.com | Reservations essential | Station: A, C, E to 34th St.–Penn Station .

Upper East Side

Long viewed as an enclave of the privileged, the Upper East Side has plenty of elegant, pricey eateries that serve the society “ladies who lunch” and bankers looking forward to a steak and single-malt scotch at the end of the day. However, visitors to Museum Mile and 5th Avenue shopping areas need not be put off. Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion or just want to grab a quick bite, there is something here for almost any budget.

Café Boulud.
$$$$ | FRENCH | Manhattan’s “who’s who” in business, politics, and the art world come to hobnob at Daniel Boulud’s café-in-name-only, where the food and service are top-notch. The menu is divided into four parts: under La Tradition are classic French dishes such as roasted duck breast Montmorency with cherry chutney, green Swiss chard, and baby turnips, or guinea hen terrine with pear, rutabaga, and foie gras; Le Potager tempts with lemon ricotta ravioli; La Saison follows the rhythms of the season; and Le Voyage reinterprets cuisines of the world. Start with a drink at the chic Bar Pleiades. | Average main: $43 | Surrey Hotel, 20 E. 76th St., between 5th and Madison Aves. , Upper East Side | 212/772–2600 | www.cafeboulud.com | Reservations essential | Station: 6 to 77th St.

Café d’Alsace.
$$ | BRASSERIE | Unusually comfortable burgundy banquettes, huge antique mirrors, and low lighting that makes everyone look fabulous characterize this Alsatian gem. Start with a house cocktail—say, L’Alsacien, in which the aperitif Belle de Brillet meets cognac, pear, and fresh lemon in a happy union. Standouts include the tarte flambée, a fromage-blanc- topped flatbread scattered with tawny caramelized onions and hunks of bacon. The choucroute garnie entrée comes in a cast-iron kettle that keeps it piping hot. Sausages, smoked pork breast, and pork belly are so carefully braised that everything comes out in perfect harmony. Can’t decide what to wash it all down with? Let the in-house beer sommelier help you. | Average main: $23 | 1695 2nd Ave., at 88th St. , Upper East Side | 212/722–5133 | www.cafedalsace.com | Station: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St.

Fodor’s Choice | Café Sabarsky.
$$ | AUSTRIAN | In the Neue Galerie, this stately coffeehouse is meant to duplicate the Viennese café experience and does a good job of it, with Art Deco furnishings, a selection of daily newspapers, and cases filled with cakes, strudels, and Sacher tortes. Museumgoers and locals love to linger here over coffee. In fact, so much so it’s sometimes a challenge to find a seat (there’s a slightly less aesthetically pleasing outpost of the café in the basement). There is also a menu of heartier fare—created by Michelin-starred Austrian chef Kurt Gutenbrunner—of goulash, sandwiches, smoked-pork-stuffed potato dumplings, and variations on a sausage theme. | Average main: $18 | Neue Galerie, 1048 5th Ave., near 86th St. , Upper East Side | 212/240–9557 | www.neuegalerie.org | Closed Tues. No dinner Mon. and Wed. | Station: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St.

Fodor’s Choice | Candle 79.
$$ | VEGETARIAN | The Upper East Side may seem like an unlikely place for gourmet vegan fare, but the people behind Candle 79 have found a formula that would work in any neighborhood. The elegant, bi-level space, done in warm, autumnal tones, is far from the health-food stereotype. Appetizers like rice balls with tempeh bacon may sound like hippie throwbacks but taste more like well-executed trattoria fare. Signature dishes include the seitan piccata, which replaces the usual protein with a vegetarian substitute and is so well made that you would never miss the meat. Salads, soups, desserts, and entrées are all fresh and made with local, organic, seasonal produce. There’s also an impressive list of organic wines and sakes. | Average main: $22 | 154 E. 79th St., at Lexington Ave. , Upper East Side | 212/537–7179 | www.candle79.com | Station: 6 to 77th St.

Cascabel Taqueria.
$$ | MEXICAN | Wrestling-theme design sets a whimsical backdrop at this reasonably priced Mexican restaurant, where the tacos are inventive, but don’t veer too far from the comfort-food norm. The Camaron scatters plump roasted shrimp among fresh oregano, garlic oil, and black beans. The beef tongue is slow braised, then topped with spring onion and serrano chilies. There’s also fresh, creamy guacamole with house-fried chips, pert tortilla soup with queso fresco and chicken, and dinner-only platters like adobe-marinated Berkshire pork butt. At lunchtime, sandwiches—like shredded chicken with mango and smashed avocado—hit the spot with a cold Mexican beer. Inside seating is limited, but in temperate weather the outdoor tables expand your possibilities. | Average main: $13 | 1538 2nd Ave., between 80th and 81st Sts. , Upper East Side | 212/717–8226 | www.cascabeltaqueria.com | Station: 6 to 77th St.

Central Park Boathouse Restaurant.
$$$ | AMERICAN | There are plenty of pushcarts dispensing hot dogs and sodas, but if you’re looking to soak up Central Park’s magical ambience in an elegant setting, head for the Central Park Boathouse, which overlooks the gondola lake. There you can relax on the outdoor deck with a glass of wine and a cheese plate, or go for a more formal meal inside the restaurant. In warmer months the restaurant can get crowded, so aim for a late lunch or early-evening cocktail. Note that dinner is not served in the winter months. | Average main: $30 | E. 72nd St., at Park Dr. N , Upper East Side | 212/517–2233 | www.thecentralparkboathouse.com | No dinner Dec.–Mar. | Reservations not accepted | Station: 6 to 77th St.

Fodor’s Choice | Daniel.
$$$$ | FRENCH | Celebrity-chef Daniel Boulud has created one of the most elegant dining experiences in Manhattan. The prix-fixe menu (there are à la carte selections in the elegant lounge and bar) is predominantly French, with such modern classics as turbot on Himalayan salt with an ale-and-gingerbread sauce, and a duo of dry-aged Angus black beef featuring meltingly tender red-wine-braised short ribs and seared rib eye with black trumpet mushrooms and Gorgonzola cream. Equally impressive are the serious artwork, professional service, extensive wine list, and masterful cocktails. Don’t forget the decadent desserts and overflowing cheese trolley. A three-course vegetarian menu is also available. | Average main: $125 | 60 E. 65th St., between Madison and Park Aves. , Upper East Side | 212/288–0033 | www.danielnyc.com | Closed Sun. No lunch | Reservations essential | Jacket required | Station: 6 to 68th St.–Hunter College .

Lexington Candy Shop.
$$ | DINER | Established in 1925, this corner luncheonette still sports 1940s-era milk-shake mixers, coffee urns, and a soda fountain. Enjoy the epic collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia along with fresh-made sodas, burgers, classic sandwiches, and breakfast all day. This is serious old-school New York City at its best. | Average main: $15 | 1226 Lexington Ave., at E. 83rd St. , Upper East Side | 212/288–0057 | www.lexingtoncandyshop.net | Station: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St.

Maya.
$$$ | MEXICAN | The upscale-hacienda appearance of this justifiably popular restaurant showcases some of the best Mexican food in the city, courtesy of pioneering Mexican chef Richard Sandoval. Begin with a fresh mango mojito, then tuck into delicious roasted corn soup with huitlacoche dumplings, stuffed poblano peppers, and a smoky filet mignon taco with jalapeño escabeche (a type of marinade). Next indulge in the tender roasted pork carnitas or the spicy chipotle shrimp. The bottomless-margarita brunch on weekends can get loud, but local Upper East Siders still enjoy it. | Average main: $26 | 1191 1st Ave., between 64th and 65th Sts. , Upper East Side | 212/585–1818 | www.modernmexican.com | Station: 4, 5, 6 to 59th St.; N, Q, R to Lexington Ave./59th St.

Rotisserie Georgette.
$$$$ | FRENCH | The Georgette in question is Georgette Farkas, who spent 17 years as chef Daniel Boulud’s marketing and PR person. She’s now branched out on her own and is set to show the culinary world how high rotisserie chicken can be elevated. This elegant spot with an altarlike rotisserie in the back of the room might spin the best fowl in the city. For a splurge, order the “Poule de Luxe,” a whole chicken stuffed with foie gras. The creamy burrata and the smoked salmon with fennel are fine starters. | Average main: $39 | 14 E. 60th St., between 5th and Madison Aves. , Upper East Side | 212/390–8060 | www.rotisserieg.com | No lunch Sun. | Station: 4, 5, 6 to 59th St.; N, Q, R to 5th Ave./59th St.

Sushi of Gari.
$$$ | JAPANESE | Options at this popular sushi restaurant range from the ordinary (California roll) to the exotic like tuna with creamy tofu sauce, miso-marinated cod, or Japanese yellowtail with jalapeño. Japanese noodles (udon or soba) and meat dishes such as teriyaki and negimaki (scallions rolled in thinly sliced beef) are well prepared. Some of the inventive nonsushi items on the menu are worth a try, especially the fried cream-cheese dumplings. Reservations are recommended. There are other locations, too, including one across the park on Columbus Avenue, in Hell’s Kitchen, and in TriBeCa. | Average main: $25 | 402 E. 78th St., at 1st Ave. , Upper East Side | 212/517–5340 | www.sushiofgari.com | Closed Mon. No lunch | Station: 6 to 77th St.

Upper West Side

The area around Lincoln Center is a fine-dining hub; as you head north you’ll find a mix of casual and sophisticated neighborhood spots.

Asiate.
$$$$ | ASIAN | The unparalleled view is reason enough to visit Asiate’s pristine dining room, perched on the 35th floor of the Time Warner Center in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Artfully positioned tables and minimalist decor help direct eyes to the windows, which peer over Central Park. At night, crystalline lights reflect in the glass, creating a magical effect. The kitchen turns out contemporary dishes with an Asian influence that pair unlikely ingredients: think foie gras and hazelnut brittle, or branzino and truffles. Professional, attentive service helps foster an atmosphere of dreamlike luxury. The restaurant has prix-fixe menus only, and an illustrious wine collection housing 2,000 bottles. | Average main: $100 | Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 80 Columbus Circle, 35th fl., at 60th St. , Upper West Side | 212/805–8881 | www.mandarinoriental.com | Station: 1, A, B, C, D to 59th St.–Columbus Circle .

Fodor’s Choice | Bar Boulud.
$$$ | FRENCH | Acclaimed French chef Daniel Boulud, known for upscale New York City eateries Daniel and Café Boulud, shows diners his more casual side with this lively contemporary bistro and wine bar. The long, narrow space accommodates 100 people. The menu emphasizes charcuterie, including terrines and pâtés designed by Parisian charcutier Gilles Verot, who relocated just to work with Boulud, as well as traditional French bistro dishes like steak frites and poulet rôti à l’ail (roast chicken with garlic mashed potatoes). The 500-bottle wine list is heavy on wines from Burgundy and the Rhône Valley. A pretheater three-course menu starts at $48, and weekend brunch has four courses plus coffee for $32. | Average main: $29 | 1900 Broadway, between 63rd and 64th Sts. , Upper West Side | 212/595–0303 | www.barboulud.com | Station: 1 to 66th St.–Lincoln Center; 1, A, B, C, D to 59th St.–Columbus Circle .

Barney Greengrass.
$$ | AMERICAN | At this Upper West Side landmark brusque waiters send out stellar smoked salmon, sturgeon, and whitefish to a happy crowd packed to the gills at small Formica tables. Split a fish platter with bagels, cream cheese, and other fixings, or get your velvety nova scrambled with eggs and buttery caramelized onions. If still hungry, go for a plate of cheese blintzes or the to-die-for chopped liver. Be warned that the weekend brunch wait can exceed an hour, so you’re better off coming during the week. | Average main: $18 | 541 Amsterdam Ave., between 86th and 87th Sts. , Upper West Side | 212/724–4707 | www.barneygreengrass.com | Closed Mon. No dinner | Reservations not accepted | No credit cards | Station: 1, B, C to 86th St.

Bouchon Bakery.
$$ | CAFÉ | Never mind that you’re in the middle of a shopping mall under a Samsung sign—soups and sandwiches don’t get much more luxurious than this. Acclaimed chef Thomas Keller’s low-key lunch spot (one floor down from his extravagant flagship, Per Se) draws long lines for good reason. Share a mason jar of salmon rillettes—an unctuous spread of cooked and smoked salmon folded around crème fraîche and butter—then move on to one of the fork-and-knife open-face tartines, like the tuna niçoise. When a sandwich has this much pedigree, $16 is actually a bargain. Grab dessert, a fresh macaron or éclair, from the nearby bakery window. | Average main: $17 | Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 3rd fl. , Upper West Side | 212/823–9366 | www.bouchonbakery.com | Station: 1, A, B, C, D to 59th St.–Columbus Circle .

Café Luxembourg.
$$ | FRENCH | The old soul of the Lincoln Center neighborhood seems to inhabit the tiled and mirrored walls of this lively, cramped restaurant, where West End Avenue regulars—including lots of on-air talent from nearby ABC News—are greeted with kisses, and musicians and audience members pack the room after a concert. The bar’s always hopping, and the menu (served until 11 pm Sunday through Tuesday and until midnight from Wednesday through Saturday) includes classics like steak tartare and lobster roll alongside more contemporary dishes like pan-seared trout with haricots verts, hazelnuts, and tomato-caper compote. | Average main: $23 | 200 W. 70th St., between Amsterdam and West End Aves. , Upper West Side | 212/873–7411 | www.cafeluxembourg.com | Reservations essential | Station: 1, 2, 3, B, C to 72nd St.

Carmine’s.
$$ | ITALIAN | Set on a nondescript block of Broadway, this branch of the Italian mainstay is a favorite for families celebrating special occasions, pre-prom groups of teens, and plain-old folks who come for the tried-and-true items like fried calamari, linguine with white clam sauce, chicken parmigiana, and veal saltimbocca, all served in mountainous portions. Family photos line the walls, an antipasti table groans under the weight of savory meats, cheese, and salads, and there’s a convivial feeling amid the organized chaos. | Average main: $24 | 2450 Broadway, between 90th and 91st Sts. , Upper West Side | 212/362–2200 | www.carminesnyc.com | Station: 1, 2, 3 to 96th St.

Dovetail.
$$$$ | AMERICAN | Inside Dovetail, chef and owner John Fraser’s subdued town-house restaurant, cream-color walls and maple panels create a warm, soothing atmosphere. The menu, which changes daily based on seasonal and available ingredients, features refined but hearty dishes. Seek solace from winter temperatures with the earthy gnocchi topped with matsutake mushrooms, poppy seeds, and lemon. Tender lamb is heightened by potatoes, artichokes, and olives. The feast continues with pastry chef Italivi Reboreda’s luscious Brie crème brûlée paired with buttermilk sherbet. | Average main: $41 | 103 W. 77th St., at Columbus Ave. , Upper West Side | 212/362–3800 | www.dovetailnyc.com | No lunch | Station: 1 to 79th St.; B, C to 81st St.–Museum of Natural History .

Fairway Market Café.
$$ | CAFÉ | Fairway is a neighborhood institution, living up to its reputation for great prices on gourmet products—and shopping-cart jockeying down the narrow aisles. Upstairs, though, is the respite of Fairway Market Café, a large, brick-walled room with windows overlooking Broadway. Up front you can grab a pastry and coffee to go, but there’s a full menu of fairly priced entrées as well. The place is run by Mitchell London, who’s known for his juicy, well-marbled steaks—try the rib eye and you may never go back to Brooklyn’s Peter Luger steak house again. | Average main: $23 | 2127 Broadway, between 74th and 75th Sts. , Upper West Side | 212/595–1888 | www.fairwaymarket.com | Station: 1, 2, 3 to 72nd St.

Fishtag.
$$ | MEDITERRANEAN | Upper West Siders aren’t going to be throwing chef Michael Psilakis and his Greek-heavy Mediterranean fare back into the water any time soon. At Anthos, a big-box Midtown eatery that shuttered a few years ago, Psilakis was lauded for his prowess on the grill. He brings the same skills to Fishtag with dishes like grilled striped bass or swordfish. Fanatics of Anthos’s insanely good lamb burger can breath easy: it’s on the menu here. The wine list is long and categorized with subtitles like “Funky & Earthy” and “Explosive & Bold,” and brew imbibers declare Fishtag a good catch when they see 20 craft beers on the menu. | Average main: $22 | 222 W. 79th St., between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. , Upper West Side | 212/362–7470 | www.michaelpsilakis.com/fishtag | No lunch | Station: 1 to 79th St.

Gray’s Papaya.
$ | FAST FOOD | It’s a stand-up, take-out dive. And yes, limos do sometimes stop here for these legendary hot dogs—they are delicious, and quite the economical meal. The recession special is two hot dogs and a drink for $6. There are cheap breakfast offerings, too, like the quintessential egg and cheese on a roll. Although there used to be several locations of Gray’s Papaya throughout the city, this is the only one left. | Average main: $5 | 2090 Broadway, at 72nd St. , Upper West Side | 212/799–0243 | www.grayspapayanyc.com | Reservations not accepted | No credit cards | Station: 1, 2, 3 to 72nd St.

Isabella’s.
$$ | AMERICAN | Set in the shadow of the Museum of Natural History, Isabella’s has been a brunch-and-beyond stalwart for decades. Brunch time is especially busy, even though the restaurant is large; lunch is less crowded, and a great time to try neighborhood-institution salads like the seafood-loaded Cobb or grilled artichoke hearts with Parmesan and lemon-thyme vinaigrette. Another winner: the crab-cake sandwich layered with lush avocado. For dinner, don’t skip the pine-nut-sprinkled mushroom ravioli. Try for a table outside when the weather’s nice; it’s a great perspective on the neighborhood and great for people-watching. | Average main: $22 | 359 Columbus Ave., at 77th St. , Upper West Side | 212/724–2100 | www.isabellas.com | Station: B, C to 81st St.–Museum of Natural History .

Jean-Georges.
$$$$ | FRENCH | This culinary temple in the Trump International Hotel and Towers focuses wholly on chef célèbre Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s spectacular creations. The chef may now have restaurants sprinkled around the globe, but this is the spot in his culinary empire where you want to be. Some dishes approach the limits of the taste universe, like foie-gras brûlée with spiced fig jam and ice-wine reduction. Others are models of simplicity, like slow-cooked cod with warm vegetable vinaigrette. Exceedingly personalized service and a well-selected wine list contribute to an unforgettable meal. It’s prix-fixe only. For Jean-Georges on a budget, try the prix-fixe lunch in the front room, Nougatine. | Average main: $125 | 1 Central Park W, at 60th St. , Upper West Side | 212/299–3900 | www.jean-georges.com | Reservations essential | Jacket required | Station: 1, A, B, C, D to 59th St.–Columbus Circle .

Kefi.
$$ | GREEK | Kefi is Greek for the bliss that accompanies a bacchanalia. At Michael Psilakis’s Upper West Side eatery—a giant homage to his grandmother’s Greek cooking—it’s not hard to achieve such a euphoric state. Among the mezes, the meatballs with roasted garlic, olives, and tomato stand out; the flavorful roast chicken with potatoes, red peppers, garlic, and thyme makes for a winning entrée; and the béchamel-rich Kefi mac ‘n’ cheese is irresistible. Reasonable prices make it easy to stick around for a piece of traditional walnut cake with walnut ice cream. | Average main: $18 | 505 Columbus Ave., between 84th and 85th Sts. , Upper West Side | 212/873–0200 | www.kefirestaurant.com | Station: 1, B, C to 86th St.

Levain Bakery.
$ | BAKERY | Completely unpretentious and utterly delicious, Levain Bakery’s cookies are rich and hefty (they clock in at 6 ounces each). Choose from the chocolate-chip walnut, dark-chocolate chocolate chip, dark-chocolate peanut-butter chip, or oatmeal raisin. Batches are baked fresh daily and taste best when they’re warm and melty right out of the oven. Levain’s also bakes artisanal breads, including banana chocolate chip and pumpkin-ginger spice, sour-cream coffee cake, chocolate-chip and cinnamon brioche, sourdough rolls stuffed with Valrhona chocolate, blueberry muffins, a variety of scones, and bomboloncini—their unique jelly doughnuts. | Average main: $9 | 167 W. 74th St., near Amsterdam Ave. , Upper West Side | 212/874–6080 | www.levainbakery.com | No dinner | Station: 1, 2, 3 to 72nd St.

Nice Matin.
$$$ | BISTRO | If the Upper West Side and the French Riviera melded into one, it might look a little bit like Nice Matin. This is a longtime neighborhood favorite, particularly in warm-weather months, when regulars plant themselves at sidewalk tables and gawk at passersby while munching on Gallic fare like monkfish wading in sweet potato purée and garlicky mussels, and, of course, steak frites. The novel-size wine list boasts more than 2,000 bottles, so bring your reading glasses. Be sure to dress for the people-watching, particularly at the popular weekend brunch. | Average main: $25 | 201 W. 79th St., at Amsterdam Ave. , Upper West Side | 212/873–6423 | www.nicematinnyc.com | No credit cards | Station: 1 to 79th St.

Fodor’s Choice | Per Se.
$$$$ | AMERICAN | The New York interpretation of what many consider one of America’s finest restaurant (the Napa Valley’s French Laundry), Per Se is chef Thomas Keller’s Broadway stage. The large dining room is understated and elegant, with touches of wood, towering florals, and sweeping windows with views of Central Park. Keller embraces seasonality and a witty playfulness that speaks to his confidence in the kitchen, and some of his dishes are now world-renowned, such as the tiny cones of tuna tartare topped with crème fraîche, and the “oysters and pearls”—tiny mollusks suspended in a creamy custard with tapioca. Dessert service is a multicourse celebration of all things sweet, including a choice of 27 house-made chocolates. Service is sublime, as you’d expect. An à la carte “salon” menu is available in the front barroom, but let’s face it: if you manage to snag a reservation, there’s nothing else to do but submit to the $325 prix fixe. It’s best to make reservations at least two months in advance. | Average main: $90 | Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 4th fl., at 60th St. , Upper West Side | 212/823–9335 | www.perseny.com | No lunch Mon.–Thurs. | Reservations essential | Jacket required | Station: 1, A, B, C, D to 59th St.–Columbus Circle .

Porter House New York.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | With clubby interiors by Jeffrey Beers and an adjoining lounge area, Porter House is helmed by veteran chef Michael Lomonaco. Filling the meat-and-potatoes slot in the Time Warner Center’s upscale “Restaurant Collection,” this masculine throwback highlights American wines and pedigreed supersize meat. The neighborhood, long underserved on the steak-house front, has warmed to Lomonaco’s simple, solid American fare. Begin with his smoky clams casino or rich roasted marrow bones. Steaks are huge and expertly seasoned, and come with the usual battery of à la carte sides—creamed spinach, roasted mushrooms, and truffle mashed potatoes. | Average main: $47 | Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 4th fl., at 60th St. , Upper West Side | 212/823–9500 | www.porterhousenewyork.com | Station: 1, A, B, C, D to 59th St.–Columbus Circle .

Salumeria Rosi Parmacotto.
$$ | ITALIAN | Chef Cesare Casella may no longer be associated with this cured meat mecca but he has left the place in a still-delicious state, showcasing dozens of varieties of prosciutto, coppa, mortadella, and more, carved from a professional slicer for consumption on the spot or as indulgent takeout. There’s also a more ambitious menu, including salads and a lusty osso buco over creamy mashed potatoes. There’s a spin-off with a more elaborate menu on the Upper East Side. | Average main: $13 | 283 Amsterdam Ave., between 73rd and 74th Sts. , Upper West Side | 212/877–4800 | www.salumeriarosi.com | Station: 1, 2, 3 to 72nd St.

Sarabeth’s Kitchen.
$$ | AMERICAN | Lining up for brunch here is as much an Upper West Side tradition as taking a sunny Sunday afternoon stroll in nearby Riverside Park. Locals love the bric-a-brac-filled restaurant for sweet morning-time dishes like lemon ricotta pancakes and comforting dinners. The afternoon tea includes buttery scones with Sarabeth’s signature jams, savory nibbles, and outstanding baked goods. Dinner entrées include chicken potpie and truffle mac ‘n’ cheese. There are several other locations around town, including one at Chelsea Market on 10th Avenue and West 15th Street. | Average main: $19 | 423 Amsterdam Ave., at 80th St. , Upper West Side | 800/773–7378 | www.sarabeth.com | Station: 1 to 79th St.

Telepan.
$$$ | AMERICAN | The greenmarket-driven menu at chef Bill Telepan’s eponymous eatery is heavy on the veggies (the seasonal vegetable starter wakes your palate right up), but fish lovers and first-timers should hook into the signature starter: smoked trout paired with sweet apple sour cream. Anything on the menu that contains eggs, like the “egg-in-a-hole” served with spinach and hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, is worth a try. There’s the usual presence of foie gras and pork belly, but Telepan does seafood very well (try the scallops). For dessert, a crunchy peanut-butter-and-gianduja duo with peanut-brittle ice cream is sublime. | Average main: $31 | 72 W. 69th St., between Columbus Ave. and Central Park W , Upper West Side | 212/580–4300 | www.telepan-ny.com | No lunch | Station: 1 to 66th St.–Lincoln Center; 2, 3 to 72nd St.; B, C to 72nd St.

Harlem

Harlem culinary renaissance? Yes, indeed. This historic northern neighborhood has seen an infusion of fantastic restaurants in the last five years or so. There are still the standby Southern and soul-food restaurants but also newer arrivals, making your journey northward even more worthwhile.

Fodor’s Choice | The Cecil.
$$$ | AFRICAN | You might feel like you’ve stepped into a private club after a pleasant doorman ushers you into this dimly lit space filled with red-leather banquettes and eye-pleasing art on the walls, but at the same time, the Cecil feels very welcoming. The menu is influenced by the African diaspora, so there’s a blend of culinary cultures—expect to be wowed. Heaping bowls of udon noodles are tangled around braised goat and edamame, all of which have been dunked in an African peanut sauce. Oxtail dumplings wade in a green-apple curry sauce. A tender lamb shank sits upon coconut-spiked grits. This is a club you want to be a part of. | Average main: $30 | 210 W. 118th St., at St. Nicholas Ave. , Harlem | 212/866–1262 | www.thececilharlem.com | No lunch Mon.–Wed. | Station: 2, 3, B, C to 116th St.

Chez Lucienne.
$$ | BISTRO | French Harlem? Not exactly, but Chez Lucienne is as close as you can get without leaving the comfortable confines of this historic neighborhood. If you can’t get into the Red Rooster next door, grab a seat at the baby-blue banquette or relax at an outdoor table where locals come to sip coffee or wine, dogs at their side. The menu looks to Lyon with classics like sautéed foie gras and steak au poivre by a chef who logged time in the kitchen with famed chef Daniel Boulud. | Average main: $20 | 308 Lenox Ave., between 125th and 126th Sts. , Harlem | 212/289–5555 | www.chezlucienne.com | Station: 2, 3 to 116th St.

Red Rooster Harlem.
$$$ | AMERICAN | Marcus Samuelsson, who earned his celebrity chefdom at Aquavit in Midtown for his take on Ethiopian-accented Scandinavian cuisine (fusing the food of his birthplace with that of where he grew up), moved way uptown to Harlem in 2010, where he has created a culinary hot spot for the ages. The comfort-food menu jumps all over the place, reflecting the ethnic diversity that is modern-day New York City (and the patrons who regularly come here), from plantain-loaded oxtail to fried chicken to the tender meatballs (with lingonberry sauce) that he served at Aquavit. Expect a wait for Sunday brunch, with its gospel music, boozy cocktails, and modern takes on dishes like chicken and waffles. | Average main: $26 | 310 Lenox Ave., between 125th and 126th Sts. , Harlem | 212/792–9001 | www.redroosterharlem.com | No credit cards | Station: 2, 3 to 125th St.

Sylvia’s.
$$ | SOUTHERN | This Harlem mainstay has been serving soul-food favorites like smothered chicken, barbecue ribs, collard greens, and mashed potatoes to a dedicated crowd of locals, tourists, and college students since 1962. Owner Sylvia Woods may have passed on in the summer of 2012, but her restaurant and signature sauces, jarred and sold online and in the restaurant, are more popular than ever. Some say it’s overly touristy—as the busloads attest—but it’s still worth the experience. For the ultimate experience, come for Sunday gospel brunch; singing and eating were never a more delicious combination. | Average main: $24 | 328 Lenox Ave., near 127th St. , Harlem | 212/996–0660 | www.sylviasrestaurant.com | Station: 2, 3 to 125th St.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn may be the place to eat these days, but Brooklyn Heights has always been more pleasing to the eye than to the taste buds.

Fodor’s Choice | Colonie.
$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | The key to this perpetually popular restaurant’s success lies in its use of ultrafresh ingredients, sourced from local purveyors and presented with style in an upscale-casual space that honors its neighborhood’s historical roots. There’s always an oyster special, along with a selection of small plates like octopus with chorizo, duck egg with farro, and carrots with sunflower and candied garlic. The main courses, among them roast chicken and a sizable pork chop, tend to be hearty, though whole fish, fresh from the market, is on the menu as well. Dessert options include a sticky date cake, Vermont cheeses, and rich, sweet wines. | Average main: $20 | 127 Atlantic Ave. , Brooklyn Heights | 718/855–7500 | www.colonienyc.com | No lunch weekdays | Station: 2, 3, 4, 5 to Borough Hall; R to Court St.

The River Café.
$$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | A deservedly popular special-occasion destination, this waterfront institution complements its exquisite Brooklyn Bridge views with memorable top-shelf cuisine served by an unfailingly attentive staff. Lobster, lamb, duck, and strip steak are among the staples of the prix-fixe menu ($120 for dinner, $42 for Saturday lunch, $55 for Sunday brunch). The chocolate Brooklyn Bridge mousse delivers the perfect ending to dinner. Jackets are required for men after 5 pm. | Average main: $255 | 1 Water St. , Brooklyn Heights | 718/522–5200 | www.therivercafe.com | No lunch weekdays | Station: 2, 3 to Clark St.; A, C to High St.; F to York St.

Downtown Brooklyn

Filled with neoclassical courthouse buildings and glass skyscrapers, there isn’t much reason to come to downtown Brooklyn—unless, of course, you managed to nab a reservation at the borough’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Brooklyn Fare.

Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare.
$$$$ | ECLECTIC | Should you manage to snag one of the 18 seats at Brooklyn’s only Michelin three-star restaurant, you’re in for a treat. Chef Cesar Ramirez prepares 20-plus courses of French- and Japanese-influenced raw and cooked seafood small plates. The extravaganza feels like dining in a secret enclave of sophisticates; note-taking, photography, and mobile phone use are discouraged to keep the focus on the meal, which costs $255 per person, exclusive of wine, tax, and tip. Every Monday at 10:30 am, reservations open for the entire week that’s six weeks ahead. Seats fill up very quickly. Jackets are required for men. | Average main: $250 | 200 Schermerhorn St., near Hoyt St. , Downtown Brooklyn | 718/243–0050 | www.brooklynfare.com | Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch | Reservations essential | Station: 2, 3 to Hoyt St.; 2, 3, 4, 5 to Nevins St.; A, C, G to Hoyt–Schermerhorn Sts.; B, Q, R to DeKalb Ave.

Junior’s.
$ | DINER | Famous for its thick slices of cheesecake, Junior’s has been the quintessential Brooklyn diner since 1950. Classic cheeseburgers looming over little cups of coleslaw and thick french fries are first-rate, as are the sweet-potato latkes and pretty much all the breakfast offerings. You haven’t truly arrived in the borough until you’ve sunk into one of the vinyl booths and eaten comforting diner classics in this brightly lit space. | Average main: $10 | 386 Flatbush Ave. Extension , Downtown Brooklyn | 718/852–5257 | www.juniorscheesecake.com | Station: 2, 3, 4, 5 to Nevins St.; B, Q, R to DeKalb Ave.; A, C, G to Hoyt–Schermerhorn Sts.

DUMBO

Once upon a time, the primary reason for a hungry person to come to DUMBO was to eat pizza at Grimaldi’s. The past few years have seen the growing gentrification of these loft-strewn cobblestone streets, though, today sprinkled with toothsome eateries and cute boutiques. Now that the Brooklyn waterfront has been fully developed you can walk off your meal on a romantic stroll.

Gran Eléctrica.
$$ | MEXICAN | Few restaurants are as equally suited to neighborhood families as they are to trendy twentysomethings, but Gran Eléctrica pleases all palates. Maybe it’s the tequila. The impressive list of bottles and a balanced cocktail menu accompany multiregional, street-food-centric Mexican fare that regularly earns Michelin Bib Gourmand nods. Order a plate of albondigas de Juana— plump pork meatballs served with tortillas for mopping up the smoky chipotle broth—and you’ll quickly see what all the fuss is about. | Average main: $14 | 5 Front St. , DUMBO | 718/852–2700 | www.granelectrica.com | No lunch weekdays | Station: A, C to High St.; F to York St.

Juliana’s.
$$ | PIZZA | Pizza pioneer Patsy Grimaldi’s eponymous pie shops checker the city, but Juliana’s is the latest in his thin-crust, coal-fired history. The restaurant is hidden in plain sight alongside neighboring Grimaldi’s, where the lines are twice as long and the pizzas not as good. Patsy himself has severed ties with Grimaldi’s, so do like the locals do and sample his classic white and margherita pies, homemade soups, and Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory desserts in this bright, bustling space. | Average main: $20 | 19 Old Fulton St. , DUMBO | 718/596–6700 | www.julianaspizza.com | Station: 2, 3 to Clark St.; A, C to High St.; F to York St.

Vinegar Hill House.
$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | DUMBO’s top dining destination is well worth the sloping walk up from the waterfront. Those who make the trek are rewarded with candlelit tables, seasonal menus, and a twinkling rear patio lined with cherry trees. Word gets out about a scene this good, so the wait for one of the 40 tables can be considerable, particularly during weekend brunch. Bide your time at the cozy bar, which pours potent cocktails, local beer, and wine by the glass. | Average main: $25 | 72 Hudson Ave., between Front and Water Sts. , DUMBO | 718/522–1018 | www.vinegarhillhouse.com | Station: F to York St.

Carroll Gardens

Carroll Gardens has standout restaurants, which lure even those Manhattanites who might be loathe to cross the river.

Fodor’s Choice | Bergen Hill.
$$ | SEAFOOD | Seafood specialist Bergen Hill has earned a cult following among the neighborhood’s discerning diners (many of the city’s top food writers call the neighborhood home). Chef Andrew D’Ambrosi, a memorable Top Chef contestant, combines precisely cut raw fish with nontraditional flavors (perhaps tuna with green olive, currant, and jalapeño, or poached octopus with onion, raisin, and harissa). The toasts are a must—crunchy bread topped with lobster salad or perfectly seasoned roasted eggplant. The best seat is at the tiny chef’s bar, where he might tell you about a recent trip to Barcelona or slide you a sample of his latest creation. The wine list is mostly old-world and adventurous; cocktails lean alternately classic and interpretive. | Average main: $18 | 387 Court St. , Carroll Gardens | 718/858–5483 | www.bergenhill.com | No lunch | Station: F, G to Carroll St.

Buttermilk Channel.
$$ | AMERICAN | Food Network– famous fried chicken and waffles have earned this Southern-accented new American bistro epic brunch lines and a legion of neighborhood regulars with their kids (the Clown Sundae is legendary among Carroll Gardens third-graders). But when day turns to night, Buttermilk Channel transforms into a surprisingly serious restaurant with an excellent, mostly American wine list and satisfying entrées including steaks, pan-roasted fish, and an outstanding warm lamb-shoulder salad. Vegetarians are certainly accommodated at many Brooklyn restaurants, but here they get a special menu. | Average main: $22 | 524 Court St., at Huntington St. , Carroll Gardens | 718/852–8490 | www.buttermilkchannelnyc.com | No lunch weekdays | Station: F, G to Smith–9th Sts.

Fodor’s Choice | Frankies Spuntino 457.
$$ | ITALIAN | When Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli opened this pioneering Italian-American restaurant in a former social club, Carroll Gardens was a culinary backwater. Much has evolved in the decade-plus since, but what hasn’t changed is the small but well-conceived menu of shareable salads (many with vegetables roasted or marinated with the Frankies’ own Sicilian olive oil), handmade pastas like the cavatelli with hot sausage and browned sage butter, and crusty sandwiches that ask to be split and shared. When the weather’s nice, try to score a seat in the gravel-lined backyard. | Average main: $16 | 457 Court St., near Luquer St. , Carroll Gardens | 718/403–0033 | www.frankiesspuntino.com | Station: F, G to Carroll St. or Smith–9th Sts.

Nightingale 9.
$$ | VIETNAMESE | Though it’s named after an old Brooklyn telephone code, Nightingale 9 takes its culinary inspiration from “long distance”: Vietnam. This smartly designed Smith Street favorite is a must for lemongrass-grilled pork chops or the steamed rice crêpes called banh cuon, stuffed with minced pork, chicken pâté, and cucumber. Chef Rob Newton visits Vietnam often and brings back authentic recipes that he sometimes reimagines with his Arkansas childhood in mind, such as smoked pork sausage served with rice cakes and shrimp paste. Catfish is fried with turmeric and spices, and served with a unique combination of dill and peanuts. | Average main: $17 | 329 Smith St. , Carroll Gardens | 347/689–4699 | www.nightingale9.com | Closed Mon. | Station: F, G to Carroll St.

Prime Meats.
$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | Steak, sausages, and serious Prohibition-era cocktails: it’s a winning combination for Frank Castronovo and Frank Falcinelli, who opened this Frankies offshoot as a tribute to turn-of-the-century New York dining rooms. Try a chilled iceberg-lettuce salad with Maytag blue cheese and a Vesper or dry martini to start, followed by a grilled heritage pork chop or perhaps an order of steak frites—though there are many other options, including a number of Teutonic dishes like herb-and-Gruyère spätzle and house-made weisswurst. | Average main: $26 | 465 Court St., at Luquer St. , Carroll Gardens | 718/254–0327 | www.frankspm.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: F, G to Carroll St. or Smith–9th Sts.

Williamsburg

Still probably the hippest, happening-est neighborhood in the five boroughs, Williamsburg is also one of the hottest destinations on the culinary landscape. You’ll find plenty of decadent twists on farm-to-table cuisine, dressed-up comfort-food classics, and killer cocktails.

Fodor’s Choice | Diner.
$$ | AMERICAN | The word “diner” might evoke a greasy spoon, but this trendsetting restaurant under the Williamsburg Bridge is nothing of the sort. Andrew Tarlow—the godfather of Brooklyn’s farm-to-table culinary renaissance—opened it in 1999 and launched an entire movement. The restaurant occupies a 1927 dining car, and foodies cram into the tiny booths to sample the daily changing menu. Your waiter will scrawl the offerings on your paper tablecloth: expect two or three meat options, a fish or two, and veggies (asparagus in spring, delicata squash in fall) from farms in the Greater New York area. | Average main: $21 | 85 Broadway, at Berry St. , South Williamsburg | 718/486–3077 | www.dinernyc.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: J, M, Z to Marcy Ave.

Fette Sau.
$$ | BARBECUE | It might seem odd to go to a former auto-body repair shop to feast on meat, but the funky building and courtyard are just the right setting for the serious barbecue served here. A huge wood-and-gas smoker delivers brisket, sausages, ribs, and even duck—all ordered by the pound. Sides include potato salad, broccoli salad, and baked beans, but meat is the main event. Pair your meal with one of the more than 40 American whiskeys and 10 microbrews. Come early, as tables fill up quickly, and even at 700 pounds of meat a night, the good stuff sometimes runs out by 9. | Average main: $13 | 354 Metropolitan Ave., at Havemeyer St. , North Williamsburg | 718/963–3404 | www.fettesaubbq.com | No lunch Mon.–Thurs. | Station: L to Lorimer St.; G to Metropolitan Ave.

Fodor’s Choice | Isa.
$$ | MEDITERRANEAN | Entering this restaurant on a rather barren block feels like walking into a modern farmhouse. Whitewashed walls, wood in geometric patterns, and a terra-cotta floor set the tone for Brooklyn-meets-Mediterranean fare, which means Tuscan-kale Caesar salads and wood-fired breakfast pizza with pancetta, fontina, salsa verde, and an egg. The food is sourced as locally as possible, and the wine list features many organic bottles from France and Italy. Ask for a seat near the open kitchen if you want to see what the chefs are up to, or sit on the other side and watch the bartenders shake cocktails using herbs from the rooftop garden. | Average main: $24 | 348 Wythe Ave., at S. 3rd St. , South Williamsburg | 347/689–3594 | www.isa.gg | Station: L to Bedford Ave.; J, M, Z to Marcy Ave.

Le Barricou.
$$ | FRENCH | The team behind nearby Maison Premiere operates this Parisian-style brasserie serving escargots, coq au vin, and other French bistro classics. Diners sit at rustic wooden tables, and the walls are collaged with vintage French newspapers. Come for brunch if you’ve been searching for perfect eggs Benedict: the version here is drizzled with hollandaise and accompanied by salad and home fries (there are no reservations at brunch, so come early or expect to wait). | Average main: $18 | 533 Grand St., between Lorimer St. and Union Ave. , South Williamsburg | 718/782–7372 | www.lebarricouny.com | Station: L to Lorimer St.; G to Metropolitan Ave.

Fodor’s Choice | Marlow & Sons.
$$ | AMERICAN | With its green-and-white-striped awning, you might easily mistake this buzzy bistro for an old-timey grocery store, but this is a wood-panel dining room packed nightly with foodies for remarkable locavore cuisine. Part of the Andrew Tarlow empire, Marlow & Sons serves food that sounds simple until you take that first bite. A starter the menu lists as burrata with radishes, for example, emerges from the kitchen as a complex dish of melt-in-your-mouth cheese with thin slices of the root vegetable and a crunchy topping of golden raisin bread toasted with olive oil. The entrées are equally inspired, thanks to the creative use to which the chefs put fresh, seasonal ingredients. The must-do dessert, the salted chocolate caramel tart, represents decadence at its flawless best. | Average main: $23 | 81 Broadway, at Berry St. , South Williamsburg | 718/384–1441 | www.marlowandsons.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: J, M, Z to Marcy Ave.; L to Bedford Ave.

Fodor’s Choice | Peter Luger Steak House.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | Steak lovers come to Peter Luger for the exquisite dry-aged meat and the casual atmosphere. You can order individual steaks, but the porterhouse is highly recommended and served only for two, three, or four people. Make reservations as far ahead as possible as prime dining times fill up more than a month in advance. The lunch-only burger is beloved by those in the know, as is the bacon appetizer, available by the slice. | Average main: $50 | 178 Broadway, at Driggs Ave. , South Williamsburg | 718/387–7400 | www.peterluger.com | Reservations essential | No credit cards | Station: J, M, Z to Marcy Ave.

Pies ‘N’ Thighs.
$$ | SOUTHERN | Opened by three Diner alums, this little restaurant takes its moniker seriously, serving famously delicious fried chicken and pies made with organic and local ingredients. Perched on chairs from an elementary school, diners enjoy Southern-style meals that come with a protein (catfish and pulled pork for those who don’t want chicken) and two sides (grits, mac ‘n’ cheese, and biscuits are favorites). Save room for pie: perhaps guava, key lime, banana cream, bourbon pecan, or many other varieties. There is also a location in lower Manhattan. | Average main: $13 | 166 S. 4th St., at Driggs Ave. , South Williamsburg | 347/529–6090 | www.piesnthighs.com | Station: J, M, Z to Marcy Ave.

Reynard.
$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | The largest of Andrew Tarlow’s Williamsburg restaurants (which include Diner and Marlow & Sons), Reynard has all the hallmarks of a Tarlow venture. Farm-to-table fare highlights the season’s freshest ingredients, and everything is made in-house, even the granola. The grass-fed burger is always available, but the rest of the menu changes often enough that you’ll want to come back to try it all. | Average main: $26 | Wythe Hotel, 80 Wythe Ave., at N. 11th St. , Williamsburg | 718/460–8004 | www.reynardnyc.com | Station: L to Bedford Ave.

Fodor’s Choice | Semilla.
$$$$ | AMERICAN | If dining has become a lot like theater then consider this Off-Off-Broadway sensation in Williamsburg to be about as entertaining on the taste buds as they come. The director, or, um, chef here is Jose Ramirez-Ruiz and he subverts the dominant dining paradigm by pushing vegetables out to the center stage, and putting meat on the sidelines as supporting cast. The $85 prix-fixe menu changes nightly based on the chef’s mood and the availability of ingredients, but if you can nab one of the 18 seats that surround the long, U-shaped table in the diminutive dining room, your palate is in store for one delicious show. | Average main: $85 | 160 Havemeyer St., No. 5 , Williamsburg | 718/782–3474 | www.semillabk.com | Closed Sun. and Mon. | Reservations essential | Station: J, M, Z to Marcy Ave.

Fodor’s Choice | St. Anselm.
$$ | STEAKHOUSE | This modest spot grills high-quality meat and fish, all sustainably and ethically sourced, and at very reasonable prices. The sides, ordered à la carte, deserve special attention: the spinach gratin is dependably hearty, and the seasonal special of delicata squash with manchego (cheese from sheep’s milk) is divine. Come early or risk a long wait, though you can get a drink from the owners’ bar, Spuyten Duyvil, next door. St. Anselm is also open for brunch on weekends. | Average main: $19 | 355 Metropolitan Ave., at Havemeyer St. , North Williamsburg | 718/384–5054 | www.stanselm.net | No lunch weekdays | Reservations not accepted | Station: L to Lorimer St.; G to Metropolitan Ave.

Bushwick

The big draw in Bushwick is Roberta’s. The neighborhood is still pretty industrial, but there are new restaurants and bars out here creating a scene.

Bunna Cafe.
$ | ETHIOPIAN | The best way to sample the diverse flavors, many quite spicy, of Ethiopian cuisine at this stellar restaurant are the combination platters—for one or to share—though you can also order individual dishes. If the delicious, seasonal duba wot (spiced pumpkin) is available, definitely include it in your platter. Everything is served with injera, a sourdough flatbread used to scoop up the various stews. The drink menu includes traditional t’ej (honey wine), cocktails, and wine and beer from Ethiopia and elsewhere. The namesake bunna —Ethiopian coffee brewed with cardamom and cloves—is worth a try, too. There’s a special menu for brunch. | Average main: $11 | 1084 Flushing Ave., at Porter Ave. , Bushwick | 347/295–2227 | www.bunnaethiopia.net | Station: L to Morgan Ave.

Fodor’s Choice | Roberta’s.
$$ | ITALIAN | A neighborhood groundbreaker since it opened in 2008, this restaurant in a former garage is a must-visit, especially for pizza connoisseurs. The menu emphasizes hyperlocal ingredients—there’s a rooftop garden—and the wood-fired pizzas have innovative combinations of toppings like fennel, pork sausage, and pistachio. There are also pastas and meaty mains, along with a vegetarian-friendly option or two. In summer service extends to a hip patio tiki bar. Roberta’s is wildly popular, so either come early or try for a table at lunch or brunch, which isn’t as hectic. Blanca, the two-Michelin-starred tasting-menu-only ($195, Wed.–Sat., waitlist@blancanyc.com) restaurant on the Roberta’s property serves innovative new American food. It’s by reservation only. | Average main: $16 | 261 Moore St., at Bogart St. , Bushwick | 718/417–1118 | www.robertaspizza.com | Station: L to Morgan Ave.

Fort Greene

Fort Greene has become one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Brooklyn, the lovely brownstone apartments attracting young professionals and many of the borough’s established writers and artists. It’s also a garden of culinary delights with restaurants leading the locavore farm-to-table movement. And who knows? Maybe even a famous director or author will be sitting at the table next to you.

Roman’s.
$$$ | ITALIAN | Part of an all-star Brooklyn restaurant group that includes Williamsburg favorites Diner and Marlow & Sons, this seasonally focused eatery has an Italian accent. Menus change daily and include farm-fresh fare like wintry fennel salads or pork meatballs in brodo, or delicacies like artichoke-studded house-made spaghetti in summer. When weather permits, request one of the candlelit alfresco tables: there’s no better perch from which to soak up the Fort Greene scene. | Average main: $26 | 243 DeKalb Ave., near Vanderbilt Ave. , Fort Greene | 718/622–5300 | www.romansnyc.com | No lunch weekdays | Station: C to Lafayette Ave.; G to Clinton–Washington Aves.

Walter’s.
$$ | AMERICAN | A sister restaurant to Williamsburg’s Walter Foods, this buzzy bistro has a seasonal menu, a comely crowd, and rosy-hued lighting that gives the space a glamorous vibe. Stop in for a cocktail after a day in Fort Greene Park, or come for a heartier repast courtesy of Walter’s raw bar, satisfying main dishes (the fried chicken with garlic mashed potatoes is a consistent winner), and market-fresh veggie sides. | Average main: $20 | 166 DeKalb Ave. , Fort Greene | 718/488–7800 | www.walterfoods.com/walters | Station: B, Q, R to DeKalb Ave.; C to Lafayette Ave.; G to Fulton St.

Park Slope

Park Slope’s reputation precedes it: this handsome, gay-friendly family neighborhood also happens to be a great place to fill the tummy. Restaurant-crammed 5th Avenue is not for the indecisive; there’s everything from Mexican to Italian to Thai, and it’s all quite good.

al di là Trattoria.
$$ | ITALIAN | Roughly translated as “the great beyond,” al di là has been consistently packed since it opened in 1998, and it’s easy to understand why: perfectly prepared dishes from northern Italy served at affordable prices, in a relaxed atmosphere. The warm farro salad with seasonal ingredients and goat cheese is perfectly al dente; the hand-pinched ravioli are deliciously homemade; and meatier entrées like braised rabbit, pork loin scaloppine, and charcoal-grilled young Bo Bo chicken are highlights. The wine bar is a good spot to wait for a table. | Average main: $24 | 248 5th Ave., at Carroll St. , Park Slope | 718/783–4565 | www.aldilatrattoria.com | Station: R to Union St.

Franny’s.
$$ | ITALIAN | Local, organic, sustainable, and high quality are the watchwords at this lively spot known for delicious wood-fired pizzas and inventive southern Italian dishes. The menu is gently priced, but portions run small. Seasonal flourishes might include ramps, roasted fennel, or whipped eggplant, and pizza toppings feature unusual cheeses like nutty grana padano, peppery pecorino, and sharp Ragusano D.O. caciocavallo: all pair well with the extensive list of Italian wines. Watch the crew at work through the open kitchen. | Average main: $18 | 348 Flatbush Ave., between Sterling Pl. and 8th Ave. , Park Slope | 718/230–0221 | www.frannysbrooklyn.com | No lunch Mon.–Thurs. | Station: 2, 3 to Grand Army Plaza; B, Q to 7th Ave.

Talde.
$$ | ASIAN FUSION | Top Chef alumnus Dale Talde has created a showstopping menu of Asian-American comfort foods at this casual neighborhood restaurant. Taste the bold flavors of staples like the crispy pretzel pork and chive dumplings, tangy kung pao chicken wings with cilantro and peanuts, Filipino pork shoulder with pickled papaya, and Korean fried chicken with a kimchi-yogurt sauce cooled by sliced grapes. If the Filipino halo-halo dessert is on the menu, you’re in for a sugar rush: it’s shaved ice with sweetened condensed milk, coconut, tapioca, seasonal fruit, and Cap’n Crunch. Distract yourself with a cocktail at the bar if there’s a wait for a table. | Average main: $23 | 369 7th Ave., at 11th St. , Park Slope | 347/916–0031 | www.taldebrooklyn.com | Station: F, G to 7th Ave.

Prospect Heights

Once referred to as the “new Park Slope,” the neighborhood on the other side of Flatbush has come into its own. Leafy, brownstone-laden streets are increasingly filled with great restaurants.

Bar Corvo.
$$ | ITALIAN | On the Crown Heights–Prospect Heights border (corvo means “crow” in Italian, as in Crow Hill, this area’s old name) and a stone’s throw from the Brooklyn Museum, this handmade-pasta specialist is an offshoot of Park Slope’s renowned al di là. Like its sibling, Bar Corvo offers rustic decor alongside refined starches and salads—squid-ink spaghetti with octopus, malfatti gnocchi with walnuts, and an impeccable warm farro salad (the fried spicy chickpeas, billed a “snack,” are highly addictive). For weekend museumgoers, Bar Corvo’s brunch is a refined alternative to Tom’s more casual diner fare up the block. | Average main: $18 | 791 Washington Ave., at Lincoln Pl. , Prospect Heights | 718/230–0940 | www.barcorvo.com | No lunch weekdays | Station: 2, 3 to Eastern Pkwy.–Brooklyn Museum; 2, 3, 4, 5 to Franklin Ave.; S to Botanic Garden .

Chuko.
$$ | JAPANESE | Whether it’s because of the miniscule size of the restaurant or the habit-forming flavors of the noodle bowls, there’s always a crowd outside this ramen storefront. Since opening in 2011 as an offshoot of Manhattan’s Morimoto, Chuko has become a Prospect Heights institution with a small, reliably tasty menu—the signature ramen comes in a simple selection of broths and toppings. The Brooklyn flagship has since spawned Bar Chuko, a block away, which has a wider selection of izakaya small plates—Japanese bar food like yakitori skewers and clams with XO sauce. Wander over there if the mothership is mobbed or to enjoy a shochu cocktail while you wait. | Average main: $14 | 552 Vanderbilt Ave., at Dean St. , Prospect Heights | 718/576–6701 | www.barchuko.com | Station: 2, 3 to Bergen St.; A, C to Clinton–Washington Aves.; B, Q to 7th Ave.

Coney Island

It’s no longer an island, but this amusement park on the sea is salt-of-the-earth paradise. Think pizza and hot dogs and calorie-laden carnival fare. If you’re in town during July 4, a Big Apple must-see is the annual Nathan’s Famous hot-dog-eating contest where hundreds of people gather to watch “professional” eaters scarf down tubular meat.

Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitana.
$$ | PIZZA | Thin-crust pies judiciously topped with fresh mozzarella and tangy, homemade tomato sauce, then baked in a coal oven—at Totonno’s you’re not just eating pizza, you’re biting into a slice of New York history. Not much has changed since Anthony (Totonno) Pero first opened the pizzeria, in 1924, right after the subways started running to Coney Island—the restaurant is at the same location and run by the same family, who use ingredients and techniques that have been handed down through four generations. The casual dining room is old-school, too, with checkerboard linoleum flooring, red-top tables, and wall-to-wall autographed photos, historic news clippings, and awards and accolades (including the James Beard American Classic). | Average main: $17 | 1524 Neptune Ave., between 15th and 16th Sts. , Coney Island | 718/372–8606 | www.totonnosconeyisland.com | Closed Mon.–Wed. | No credit cards | Station: D, F, N, Q to Coney Island–Stillwell Ave.

Brighton Beach

The subway trains that shuttle people out to this beachside neighborhood could be nicknamed the “time machine” because strolling the wide boardwalk along the sea feels like you’ve dropped into another time and space. Odessa in the 1980s comes to mind. After all, it was around that time when a mass migration of Russian immigrants settled in Brighton Beach. Today you’ll hear more Slavic than English and you’ll most certainly be tempted by the vodka and highly entertaining Russian restaurants that line the boardwalk.

Cafe Kashkar.
$ | ASIAN | Uyghur cuisine, from the Chinese region of Xinjiang, is the focus of the menu at this postage-stamp-size café. Standouts include naryn (lamb dumplings), samsa (empanada-like lamb pies), pickles, vinegary salads, and clay-oven-baked bread. The few Uzbek dishes on the menu are recommended, in particular the pilaf and the lamb and vegetable dymlama —a meat-and-potato stew that’s sometimes made with vegetables and fruit. The portions are definitely shareable. | Average main: $6 | 1141 Brighton Beach Ave., at Brighton 15th St. , Brighton Beach | 718/743–3832 | www.kashkarcafe.com | Station: B, Q to Brighton Beach .

Tatiana Restaurant and Night Club.
$$ | RUSSIAN | There are two prime times at Tatiana’s: day and night. Sitting at a boardwalk-side table on a summer afternoon, enjoying the breezes and the views of the Atlantic while eating lunch alfresco, is a quintessential Brighton Beach experience. After dark, a flashier crowd arrives, especially on weekends when Tatiana’s hosts an extravagant floor show, with plenty of dancing, costumes, and acrobatics. The menu has a bit of everything: the Ukrainian specialties, like the sweet and savory vareniki , a pierogi-like dumpling that’s considered Ukraine’s national dish, are especially good, as are the herring, the homemade lox, and the caviar platters. Vodka can be ordered like wine—by the bottle. No sneakers are allowed in the evenings. | Average main: $22 | 3152 Brighton 6th St. (or enter from boardwalk) , Brighton Beach | 718/891–5151 | www.tatianarestaurant.com | Station: B, Q to Brighton Beach .

Queens

Astoria

After you’re finished with the sights, why head back to Manhattan? End your day with dinner at one of Astoria’s legendary Greek restaurants (on or near Broadway), or venture to the Middle Eastern restaurants farther out on Steinway Street.

Taverna Kyclades.
$$ | GREEK | The current powerhouse of Hellenic eats in the neighborhood, Taverna Kyclades serves Greek classics at a higher level than you’d expect, given the simple decor and unassuming location. Fried calamari and grilled octopus make appearances at rock-bottom prices, despite their obvious quality, as do more out-of-the-ordinary dishes like “caviar dip” and swordfish kebabs. Lamb chops drip with juice, and grilled sardines are so fresh you’d swear they were just pulled from the sea. Be prepared to wait for a table at peak times, as they don’t take reservations. There’s also a Manhattan outpost on 1st Avenue and East 13th Street in the East Village. | Average main: $17 | 33-07 Ditmars Blvd. , Astoria | 718/545–8666 | www.tavernakyclades.com | Reservations not accepted | Station: N, Q to Astoria–Ditmars Blvd.

Flushing

Manhattan may be known for its fine four-star restaurants, but food lovers know there’s one train to take to some of the best eats in the city. The 7 snakes its way through the middle of Queens, and conveniently through some of the best dining neighborhoods in New York. At the end of the line is Flushing, home to the second-largest Chinatown in the United States. (First is San Francisco’s.) Wide streets have few tourists and many interesting stores and restaurants, making the long trip worth it. A couple of tips: bring cash, because not many of these restaurants accept credit cards, and be prepared to encounter language difficulties, as English speakers are in the minority. In Manhattan, catch the 7 train at Times Square or Grand Central Terminal.

Spicy and Tasty.
$ | CHINESE | Flushing is crammed with quality salt-of-the-earth Chinese eateries, but Spicy and Tasty is the place to go for standout Chinese, particularly if you’re a first-timer to the neighborhood. The restaurant lives up to its name with numbing Sichuan peppercorns and slicks of red chili oil. Tea-smoked duck has crispy skin and smoky, salty meat. Eggplant with garlic sauce tastes of ginger, tomatoes, and red chilies. Cool it all down with a Tsingtao beer. The $6.50 lunch special—weekdays only—is quite the deal. | Average main: $10 | 39-07 Prince St., at 39th Ave. , Flushing | 718/359–1601 | www.spicyandtasty.com | No credit cards | Station: 7 to Flushing–Main St.

Long Island City

Long Island City began attracting more visitors when MoMA PS1 opened in the 1970s, and today it’s getting more popular thanks to its hip but down-to-earth eateries and awesome views of the Manhattan skyline.

Fodor’s Choice | M. Wells Dinette.
$$ | CANADIAN | When the original version of this beloved and experimental restaurant in Long Island City lost its lease and had to shut down, a swath of New York eaters let out a collective groan. But they didn’t have to go too long without their foie-gras fix because French-Canadian chef Hugue Dufour reopened the restaurant at MoMA PS1. The menu changes depending on the season but diners might find dishes like veal cheek stroganoff, with thick bucatini, or bone marrow and escargot. Finish off with a slice of maple pie and a shot of maple bourbon. Then wander the gallery trying to make sense of the art (and your meal). The restaurant currently closes at 6 pm, leaving time for a leisurely lunch but not dinner. | Average main: $18 | MoMA PS1, 22–25 Jackson Ave., at 46th Ave. , Long Island City | 718/786–1800 | www.momaps1.org/about/mwells | No dinner. Closed Tues. and Wed. | Reservations not accepted | Station: 7, G to Court Sq.; E, M to Court Sq.–23rd St.

M. Wells Steakhouse.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | From the team that made Long Island City a dining destination with the original M. Wells and then the M. Wells Dinette inside MoMA PS1 comes this mecca devoted to meat. Once you find the door—go through the gate, then walk across the small courtyard—settle in at a table in the industrial space, order a cocktail (the Canadian sidecar just means there’s maple in the classic), and peruse the menu. There are some good but gimmicky options—a bone-in burger, the short or tall stack of pork chops, foie gras gnocchi—but we say stick to the steak, particularly the thick, juicy côte de boeuf, and you’ll leave a happy diner. | Average main: $40 | 43-15 Crescent St. , Long Island City | 718/786–9060 | www.magasinwells.com | Closed Sun.–Wed. No lunch | Station: 7, N, Q to Queensboro Plaza; E, M, R to Queens Plaza .

Jackson Heights

One of the most ethnically diverse parts of New York City, Jackson Heights is home to a United Nations of cuisine: from outstanding Indian and Pakistani places to surprisingly excellent taco carts. Most recently, Tibetans and Nepalese have been moving into the neighborhood, setting up small shops selling juicy meat-filled momos (dumplings) and other Himalayan treats.

Phayul.
$ | TIBETAN | Step through the doorway with the Himalayan eyebrow threading sign above it, head up the twisting and turning stairway, then enter through a beaded curtain and you’ll find yourself something of a delicious culinary anomaly: Tibetan-Sichuan cuisine. The traditional momos (Tibetan dumplings stuffed with meat) are worth trying, but the most exciting fare here lies in the fusion of the two cultures, like spicy blood sausage or tofu in a fiery chili sauce. The funky beef-studded Tibetan yak-cheese soup is for adventurous eaters. | Average main: $9 | 37-65 74th St. , Jackson Heights | 718/424–1869 | No credit cards | Station: 7 to 74th St.–Broadway; E, F, M, R to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave.

Woodside

It has long been said that to get great Thai food in the Big Apple, you have to go to Queens. While the Thai dining landscape has improved in other parts of the city, Woodside is still its epicenter. But to only associate Woodside with just Thai cuisine is underselling it; you’ll find a variety of ethnic eateries here, including Ecuadorian and Italian.

Fodor’s Choice | SriPraPhai.
$$ | THAI | The main reason foodies flock to Woodside is to go to SriPraPhai (pronounced “See-PRA-pie”). It’s widely considered the best Thai restaurant in New York. Don’t be overwhelmed by the huge menu—it’s hard to go wrong. Crispy watercress salad, larb (ground pork salad with mint and lime juice), sautéed chicken with cashews and pineapple, kao-soy (curried egg noodles), and roasted-duck green curry are a few standouts. If you go with a few people, order the delicately flavored whole steamed fish. There’s a large separate menu for vegetarians. But prepare your palate: your mouth might feel like a five-alarm fire by the time you’re finished. | Average main: $13 | 64-13 39th Ave. , Woodside | 718/899–9599 | www.sripraphairestaurant.com | No credit cards | Closed Wed. | Station: 7 to 69th St.

The Bronx

People don’t really wander into this borough—like they do into Brooklyn and even Queens, hoping to stumble on some gem of an ethnic eatery—but the Bronx actually has a lot going for it, if you know where to look. Dotted throughout the borough are some great Mexican taquerías, African eateries, and old-school Italian joints. Skip Manhattan’s Little Italy and head to the Bronx’s Arthur Avenue for a real red-sauce treat; it’s a much more authentic Italian-American neighborhood and a great place to carb-load.

Antonio’s Trattoria.
$$ | ITALIAN | Antonio’s bills itself as “an Italian restaurant serving simple food,” but it’s underselling itself. This is fantastic salt-of-the-earth Italian fare at its best. Start with the mini-meatballs wading in a marinara sauce and move on to baked clams, house-made ravioli, fettuccine carbonara, or excellent pizza, baked in a brick oven in the Neapolitan manner. Only the red-and-white checked tablecloths are missing. It’s a bit off the main “Little Italy” strip, but worth the trek. And if you haven’t eaten enough, expect a server to come by, prodding you with “Mangia, mangia! ”|Average main: $22 | 2370 Belmont Ave. , Belmont | 718/733–6630 | www.antoniostrattoria.com | Station: B, D to 182nd–183rd Sts.

Zero Otto Nove.
$$ | ITALIAN | Though insiders who can get a table swear by Rao’s on 114th Street in Manhattan, Zero Otto Nove chugs along as one of the best Italian restaurants north of 96th Street. The draw? A menu that nicely balances authentic Italian fare with good Italian-American classics. Try a wood-oven-fired pizza, perfectly chewy and loaded with buffalo mozzarella. The San Matteo, which adds broccoli rabe to the mix, is just as addictive as the plain-Jane margherita. Pasta dishes are worthy of your attention, too: the malfade with chickpeas, crispy pancetta, and bread crumbs might make you want to skip the pizza pie for now. For those who don’t feel like a trek to the Bronx, there’s another outpost in Chelsea. | Average main: $16 | 2357 Arthur Ave. , Belmont | 718/220–1027 | www.roberto089.com | Closed Mon. | Reservations not accepted | Station: B, D to 182nd–183rd Sts.

Staten Island

There’s not much reason for tourists to spend time in New York’s often-forgotten fifth borough, but if you made your way here on the free ferry from Whitehall Terminal and want to explore, you’ll find plenty of homespun, no-frills eateries, including some of the best pizza in the city.

Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern.
$$ | ITALIAN | Arguably the best pizzeria in the borough, Denino’s has been run by the same Sicilian family for more than 75 years. Baking thin-crust pizzas in their current location since 1937, this Staten Island institution is worth the trip from St. George (half an hour by bus; 15-minute drive). For dessert, try Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices and Ice Cream, conveniently located across the street. | Average main: $17 | 524 Port Richmond Ave. , | Staten Island | 718/442–9401 | www.deninos.com | No credit cards | Station: S44 or S94 bus from Staten Island Ferry Terminal (30 mins) .

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