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Enjoying delicious food is one of the best parts of traveling to a different place, and there are all kinds of restaurants in NYC where you can indulge your appetite in one of the top cities for foodies in the States. NYC is an ideal place to treat yourself to a luxurious meal; in fact, it’s one of the top things to do in New York City, especially with friends or your partner.
Here, you can find just about any type of cuisine you’re craving, from juicy, tender steaks to mouth-watering Italian food, to the finest French meals. In this guide, I’ll tell you the best places to have dinner in New York, whether you want classic American fare, a delightful Korean feast, or a spicy sampling of Indian dishes.
While this article focuses on fine dining and luxury restaurants in NYC, we have another guide on the best foods to try in New York City, with recommendations for popular dishes and where to try them.
To sum up, these are the 10 best restaurants in New York City:
If your stomach isn’t growling yet, just wait, because it’s time to see which restaurants in New York City rise above the rest!
1. Gramercy Tavern, one of the best restaurants in NYC
First, Gramercy Tavern is a Michelin-star restaurant with nine James Beard Awards. Its dining room and bar are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner in New York, so if you’re looking for fine dining with a casual flair, this is the place.
The menu consists of contemporary American food made with seasonal ingredients, some of which come from local farmers. Peruse the a la carte menu or indulge in the chef-curated tasting menu with items like roasted duck confit, mushroom pot pie, tavern burgers, and dark chocolate mousse.
1. Gramercy Tavern, one of the best restaurants in NYC
You can reserve a table in the swanky dining room or pull up a stool at the bar for a more relaxed environment. Either way, I recommend asking your waiter about the perfect wine pairing for your meal; you won’t regret it! Also, Gramercy Tavern is close to Union Square, so it’s the best restaurant for fine dining in Midtown, New York City, and a great place to eat after doing some sightseeing.
- Type of cuisine: New American
- Average price per person: $90
- Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday-Sunday 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm
- Neighborhood: Flatiron District, Manhattan
- Menu
2. Daniel, one of the best Michelin star restaurants in New York
Daniel is one of the best upscale restaurants in New York City, especially if you want to celebrate a special occasion. Chef Eddy Leroux creates prix-fixe menus and tasting menus with local produce, seafood, and meats, and can accommodate different diets with advance notice.
His small plates are beautifully presented and feature classic French food, tweaked just a bit for American diners. Enjoy scrumptious oysters and scallops, elegant escargot, Hudson Valley foie gras, and amazing red snapper and Montauk black sea bass. If you prefer meat, try the Pennsylvania rabbit or Berkshire pork ribeye.
Daniel’s pastry chef, Shaun Velez, whips up treats inspired by his international travels, such as Japanese matcha tropezienne and Mexican dark chocolate, so save room for dessert.
2. Daniel, one of the best Michelin star restaurants in New York
This is a sophisticated restaurant with highly attentive service, so dress up and be prepared to spend a pretty penny. It’s worth it for the divine dishes and the spectacular atmosphere; the Neo-Classical main dining room is gorgeous, while the Art Deco bar and lounge are a bit less formal.
Either way, indulging in a lavish dinner in New York is a great thing to do in NYC as a couple, so consider bringing your sweetheart here for an anniversary or birthday.
- Type of cuisine: French
- Average price per person: $275
- Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 5pm-10pm
- Neighborhood: Upper East Side, Manhattan
- Menu
3. Per Se, a wonderful NYC restaurant for a romantic dinner
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in NYC for Valentine’s Day or another special occasion, book a table at Per Se. This French/New American restaurant is headed by chef Thomas Keller, author of The French Laundry Cookbook, and he brings several of his recipes to life in Per Se’s kitchen.
His expertise and delicious dishes have earned Per Se three Michelin stars, as well as multiple awards for its wine list, which boasts over 2,000 bottles from around the world.
3. Per Se, a wonderful NYC restaurant for a romantic dinner
Here, you can choose from the vegetable or chef’s tasting menu; both include nine courses with dishes like porcini mushroom potage, green bean cassoulet, and Norwich Meadows Farm squash salad. For the meat-eaters, try the Hudson Valley duck foie gras, Elysian Fields Farms lamb rib-eye, or the herb-roasted Atlantic halibut.
Plus, the restaurant is in Columbus Circle, so you can enjoy a lovely view of Central Park while you dine. Just be sure to reserve a table because walk-ins aren’t accepted and request a window seat if you can. Also, be aware that all reservations require a $200 deposit per person, which goes towards the final bill.
Yes, Per Se is pricey, but it’s one of the best romantic restaurants in NYC, so if you want to treat your partner, it’s worth it.
- Type of cuisine: French/New American
- Average price per person: $300
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 4:30pm-8pm
- Neighborhood: Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
- Menu
4. The Modern, another great French restaurant in NYC
The Modern is one of the fanciest places to eat in New York City if you’re looking for contemporary American cuisine with a French twist. It’s located in MoMA’s Kenneth C. Griffin Building and overlooks the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden.
The Modern is open for lunch and dinner and, along with beer and cocktails, offers an international wine list with 3,000 selections. You can sit at the bar for the a la carte menu, opt for the dining room, or get an exclusive table in front of the kitchen.
With two Michelin stars and four James Beard Awards, you can bet that everything on the menu is incredible. You can tell the chef had fun curating the menu, so this is one of the best restaurants in Midtown NYC if you want to try a new take on an old favorite.
4. The Modern, another great French restaurant in NYC
For example, try the broccoli cheddar ravioli, charred octopus, or lamb with sheep’s milk ricotta. For something more refined, go for the foie gras, lobster, or black truffle tagliolini. Vegetarians will love the cucumber and pea salad, while carnivores can indulge in the steak tartare with crispy potatoes.
Also, leave room for dessert since The Modern serves up delectable ice cream flavors like toasted sesame and rhubarb goat’s milk.
- Type of cuisine: French/New American
- Average price per person: $250
- Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-9pm
- Neighborhood: Midtown, Manhattan
- Menu
5. Momofuku Ko, one of the best upscale restaurants in New York City
Momofuku Ko does Asian food with an experimental New York twist. The one-of-a-kind menu is inspired by the kaiseki tradition of Japan, combined with innovative recipes and seasonal ingredients. With two Michelin stars and one of the most unique menus in the city, Momofuku Ko is among the best fine restaurants in New York City’s Midtown.
You can choose to sit in the main dining room, where you can sample the 11-course tasting menu, or the bar, where you can order items a la carte. If you sit at the bar, you have the added experience of chatting with the chef who personally makes your food.
5. Momofuku Ko, one of the best upscale restaurants in New York City
Either way, Momofuku Ko is an awesome place to go for dinner in New York, although if you eat a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet, you’ll want to skip this one out. The dishes include fan favorites like burgers and fried chicken, as well as seafood specialties like mussels, fried squid, and hake. The restaurant also appeals to those who have a taste for the finer things in life, such as soft-boiled eggs with caviar or black truffle ravioli.
Finally, dessert is an intriguing exploration of Eastern and Western flavors, with options like pecan pie or lychee and pine nut foie gras, so you won’t want to miss it.
- Type of cuisine: Asian-American
- Average price per person: $300
- Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 4pm-9:30pm
- Neighborhood: The Bowery, Manhattan
- Menu
6. Jungsik, one of the best restaurants in NYC for Korean food
Jungsik is among the best Korean restaurants in NYC, thanks to its creative menu, which goes way beyond classic kimchi. Forget about the cafes in Koreatown; you’ll want to head to TriBeCa for Jungsik’s bold flavors and contemporary Korean cuisine, which earned the restaurant two Michelin stars.
Even with its modern and elegant décor, Jungsik still has a laid-back vibe. Your waiter and chef will take good care of you and can even accommodate vegetarian requests.
6. Jungsik, one of the best restaurants in NYC for Korean food
Start by perusing the hefty wine list, then dig into a variety of small side dishes like foie gras banchan or Korean rice cakes. The signature tasting menu includes 11 courses like black cod, octopus, scallops, tuna kimbap, and sea urchin bibimbap. Some delightful veggie-centric plates include the avocado tartare and the mushroom and leek dumplings in songee broth.
Your culinary experience ends with some chocolates, macarons, and canelés, which accompany your bill.
- Type of cuisine: Korean
- Average price per person: $265
- Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 5pm-9pm
- Neighborhood: TriBeCa
- Menu
7. Le Bernardin, one of the best restaurants in NYC Times Square
Le Bernardin has the most James Beard Awards out of all the fine dining restaurants in New York City, and with three Michelin stars, it’s an establishment you can’t miss.
Its story began in 1986 when Maguy and Gilbert Le Coze came to New York City from Paris and opened a restaurant similar to the ones they had in France. Within three months, Le Bernardin earned critical acclaim and grew from there.
You can eat in the dining room or lounge and eat your way through the chef’s tasting menu (there is a vegetarian option, too). Dine on yellowfin tuna and foie gras on toasted baguettes, accompanied by osetra caviar, sauteed langoustine, and mushroom salad. If you love seafood, try the marinated fluke ceviche with Thai basil and lime-infused olive oil, or the black truffle scallops with apple-horseradish vinaigrette.
7. Le Bernardin, one of the best restaurants in NYC Times Square
Also, you can’t forget the wine list with 15,000 bottles and vintages dating back to 1875, or the delicious desserts, like fig ice cream with goat cheese mousse and pine nut ganache.
Everything on the menu is delectable, but it’s expensive. The chef’s tasting menu is $300 per person, and if you want the wine pairing, it’ll set you back $450 per person. Still, Le Bernardin is one of the best restaurants in NYC for an anniversary or special date, so splurge on your sweetheart and indulge in these French culinary masterpieces.
- Type of cuisine: French
- Average price per person: $375
- Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 12pm-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm; Saturday, 5pm-10pm
- Neighborhood: Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
- Menu
8. Marea, one of the best restaurants in NYC near Central Park
As if you needed another reason to visit Central Park, you can also eat at Marea in Columbus Circle. This rustic yet chic trattoria is among the best Italian restaurants in NYC, bringing the flavors of Italy’s coast to the urban New York City streets.
This Michelin star restaurant will engage your senses with mouth-watering aromas and flavors, and a stunning presentation. Here, you can enjoy a feast of caviar, oysters, pacific yellowtail, lemon-cured fluke, striped bass, and cuttlefish. You’ll want to bring your friends to nosh on seasonal antipasti and house-made pastas and risotto. They’ll love digging into grilled ribeye and roasted duck breast, and accompanying it all with a superb wine, beer, or cocktail.
8. Marea, one of the best restaurants in NYC near Central Park
It’s not just the entrees that have earned Marea a James Beard Award; the restaurant has a large dessert menu you’ll want to check out. Along with dessert wines and scrumptious cheeses served with honeycomb, you can indulge in pavlova, tiramisu, panna cotta, gelati, and sorbet. One bite, and you’ll see why this is one of the best restaurants in NYC’s Central Park, and maybe all of New York.
- Type of cuisine: Italian
- Average price per person: $135
- Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday, 12pm-2:45pm, 5pm-9:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 12pm-2:45pm, 5pm-10:45pm
- Neighborhood: Midtown, Manhattan
- Menu
9. Dhamaka, one of the best restaurants in NYC’s Lower East Side
With its colorful décor and vibrant flavors, Dhamaka will quickly become one of your favorite NYC restaurants in Essex Market, on the Lower East Side, one of the best neighborhoods in Manhattan. Chef Chintan Pandya and restauranter Roni Mazumdar have made it their mission to bring lesser-known Indian flavors to the Big Apple.
Dhamaka’s menu allows you to sample different tastes and recipes from all over the Indian subcontinent, from Bengali and Gujarati cooking to Meghalayan cuisine. There’s no doubt that it’s one of the nicest places to eat in New York City.
9. Dhamaka, one of the best restaurants in NYC’s Lower East Side
Start with the papdi chaat with tamarind and yogurt, then dive into the delicious murgh kofta with minced chicken and poppy seeds. Meat-lovers will fawn over the tiger prawns, goat belly, and lamb ribs, while everyone will adore the paneer methi with cashew cream, cumin, and fenugreek.
There are also the tried-and-true favorites like biryani, chapati, and raita, although I recommend saving room for Dhamaka’s only dessert option, chena poda, a baked cheese topped with caramelized sugar.
- Type of cuisine: Indian
- Average price per person: $100
- Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 5pm-9pm
- Neighborhood: Lower East Side, Manhattan
- Menu
10. Peter Luger, one of the best restaurants in NYC for date night
Finally, this list of the most luxurious NYC restaurants wouldn’t be complete without a steakhouse, and Peter Luger is one of the top-ranking steakhouses in the city. It’s in Williamsburg, one of the most popular neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
This restaurant started as Carl Luger’s Café, Billiards, and Bowling Alley, and opened before the Williamsburg Bridge. Once the bridge opened, it brought more traffic to the steakhouse, and over the years, the name changed to Peter Luger, earned a solid reputation, and was awarded a Michelin star.
What makes Peter Luger stand out from other steakhouses is that management carefully inspects the meat they purchase, adhering to USDA guidelines and practices. They’ll only buy USDA Prime meats, which are the finest tier of meat in the country.
10. Peter Luger, one of the best restaurants in NYC for date night
Once they receive the cuts, Peter Luger’s chefs keep the meat in a temperature and humidity-controlled facility at the restaurant. The meats are dry-aged for a secret amount of time, resulting in mouth-watering burgers and steaks.
When you order your porterhouse, ribeye, strip steak, or sirloin, the chef will make sure it’s cooked exactly how you want it, and the meat arrives at your table still sizzling from the broiler. Pair your steak with German fried potatoes or creamed spinach or go off the beaten path and try the jumbo shrimp cocktail or thick slices of bacon. They also serve some of the best burgers in NYC but aren’t cheap either.
Peter Luger has a more laid-back vibe than other steakhouses in the city, so it’s one of the best high-end restaurants in New York City for a date or a Friday night with friends. In addition, your bill comes with a couple of chocolate coins, which is Peter Luger’s signature final flourish.
- Type of cuisine: Steakhouse
- Average price per person: $90
- Opening hours: Monday-Thursday, 11:45am-9:45pm; Friday-Saturday, 11:45am-10:45pm; Sunday, 12:45pm-9:45pm
- Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
- Menu
Now you have 10 amazing fine dining restaurants in NYC that you can check out. I’m also including a map so you can easily find the best NYC restaurants that I mentioned.
Hopefully, one of these New York restaurants appeals to you, but if you have a favorite that you’d like to recommend, leave me a comment. I’ll be delighted to answer you. Until then, have a safe and delicious trip!
