NYC Eats
Last updated: November 25, 2024
I’m not calling any of these “the best” because I don’t think I can ever try enough places in NYC to claim that something is the best.
Taco Recs
Chorizo: Santa Ana Deli & Grocery (171 Irving Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237)
El Pastor: Taqueria Al Pastor (128 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237) OR El Mitote (208 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10023)
Fish & Spicy Shrimp: Los Mariscos (409 W 15th St, New York, NY 10011)
Carne Asada: Los Tacos No. 1 (various locations)
Birria: Birria-Landia (77-99 Roosevelt Ave, Queens, NY 11372) OR Plaza Ortega (140 Stanhope St, Brooklyn, NY 11221)
Suadero: Taqueria Ramirez (94 Franklin St, Brooklyn, NY 112220)
Tex-Mex style: Yellow Rose (102 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003)
Fancy: Casa Carmen (114 Franklin St, New York, NY 10013)
Manhattan
Jacob Pickles - Biscuit, gravy, and 2 over-easy eggs for Sunday brunch.. I love this southern place & I’m not alone. Try to get a reservation or you’ll have to wait at least an hour on the weekends.
Paradise Thai - less popular but more traditional than Thai Market across the street. Thai iced tea + Mango sticky rice
Absolute Bagels -
The Tang - awesome Taiwanese food in the UWS
Malaysia Grill - This is totally biased but I loved having a Malaysian spot near me.
La Caridad 78 - closed during covid, unsure if its open again. This is one of the first Chinese cuban restaurants.
Honorable mentions: Momoya, Joanne’s (Gaga’s family restaurant), Gennaro, Community Food, and Leyla.
Wondee Siam - some of the best Thai noodles here..
Real Kungfu Little Steamed Buns Ramen -
Tim Ho Wan
Halal Guys
Hatsushana
Tsushima
Calle Dao
Tonchin - my absolute favorite ramen place in New York City. That said, their chicken wings are perfectly seasoned/fried.
Hanjan
Bagatelle
Nami Nori
J.G. Melon
Chow House
Dumpling Man - As a poor startup CEO in the late 2010s, I ate here more often than I’d admit publically. Pan-friend > steamed. Pork > everything else.
Veselka - Ukrainian food that feels 7 out of 10 authentic but good enough for being in the middle of NYC. Get Borscht and cottage cheese pancakes.
Oiji
Momofuku Noodle Bar
L’industie - Incredible Fig Jam pizza. Worth the wait.
Carbone - Not sure if this place needs an intro. A book a table, go on the Resy app at 10 am EST with your credit card ready. A RSVP requires you to put $108 deposit down.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
La Esquina
Lombardi’s Pizza
Vanessa’s Dumplings
Wayan
Bodhi Kosher Vegetarian
Thoi Son
5 Borough Pizza
FlyFish Club - A private club co-owned by Gary Vaynerchuk, this place raised ~$15M via NFTs in 2022 only to get fined by the SEC. If you can find a friend who is a member, go! Skip the steak and burger, go for the more unique Japanese-inspired dishes. Shoutout to my dear friend Chef Sakari Smithwick.