As always, we’ve already done the difficult work of tracking openings, scouring menus and researching which places are the absolute best new restaurants to try this month. And from a field that was truly staggering, below we have chosen our top 10. They range from the first restaurant from a New York hospitality legend’s son to the reopening of another famed chef’s landmark Lincoln Square complex, plus plenty of burgers, beef patties and fried chicken in between.

And for even more advanced planning, don’t forget to read our fall preview story, which has details on some of October and November’s most anticipated openings as well.

Amphora

• 43 E 20th St., New York, NY 10003
• Flatiron

Taking over the former Veritas space at the top of this month was Amphora, a seasonally focused fine-dining restaurant from chef Jack Logue, who has worked at Michelin-starred kitchens including Betony and The Clocktower. What sets this Flatiron spot apart from other date-night-worthy options is its wine list: with 2,500 bottles at opening (chosen by wine director Chris Miller in conjunction with Logue), it’s already one of the largest collections in all of New York. As such, the tasting menu with wine pairings will be Amphora’s signature offering, but guests can also choose from three- and four-course prix fixes, as well as order à la carte at the bar.

The Astor

• 425 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10003
• Noho

NoHo Hospitality continues its decades-long partnership with The Public Theater with the mid-month opening of The Astor, a tavern-style spot inside the theater’s famed building on Lafayette Street. Chef Andrew Carmellini will serve riffs on classic American dishes, like “Devilish Eggs” and a cheffed-up take on a popular bar bite rechristened “Pigs in Wellington.” Cocktails will draw on similar traditional inspiration, with martinis and Manhattans on the menu, created by Darryl Chan, plus a tightly edited wine list from Josh Nadel.

Brasserie Boulud

• 1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
• Lincoln Square

Pre-theater diners have been counting down the days until chef Daniel Boulud reopens his Lincoln Square flagship and—finally!—the time draws near. The new concept combines his three former restaurants into one destination, now called Brasserie Boulud. Clocking in at over 10,000 square feet across two floors, the Rockwell Group-designed restaurant will feature a main dining room with a classic French menu, as well as a speakeasy and private dining rooms. Notably, the restaurant will also be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, which means you can swing by in the morning for a proper croissant and pop over for a cocktail after your show wraps up at Lincoln Center.

Cafe Charmant

• 340 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10014
• West Village

Few restaurant groups have captured lightning in a bottle in recent years in the way that Catch Hospitality Group has (have you tried to get into The Corner Store? We rest our case). The newest addition to the New York portfolio is Cafe Charmant, a brasserie focused on the food of coastal France. Executive chef Jake Brodsky (Eleven Madison Park) will serve elevated takes on standards like steak frites and salade niçoise, while beverage director Lucas Robinson will play around with twists on classic cocktails, like a cucumber sour or the Provençal dirty martini.

Creola

• 1261 Park Ave., New York, NY 10029
• Upper East Side

One of the smallest restaurants opening this month packs one of the biggest punches. Earlier in September, chef Lana Lagomarsini (Top Chef: Destination Canada) unveiled Creola, a 12-seat, five-course tasting menu that draws inspiration from the food of the African diaspora, the American South and her own childhood in New York. Named for her grandmother, who also taught her to cook, Lagomarsini will launch with courses such as an oxtail pâté en croûte flavored to taste like a Jamaican beef patty, and a collard green potlikker consommé served with trout and a trout-fat roasted cornbread.

Dante Elizabeth Street

• 210 Elizabeth St., New York, NY 10012
• Nolita

One of the most anticipated openings of the fall season, Dante Elizabeth Street, has landed in Nolita. Owners Linden Pride and Nathalie Hudson worked with AvroKO on the design of the 205-seat space. The powerhouse bar concept’s latest addition to its New York portfolio will feature a seasonal Italian food menu with many dishes making use of a wood-fired grill and pizza oven. And, of course, Dante’s signature drink, the Negroni, will be on offer here, along with spritzes, martinis and other classics.

Good Time Country Buffet

• 166 1st Ave., New York, NY 10009
• East Village

Good Time Country Buffet opened on Sept. 12; it’s the third concept from Good Time Hospitality, the team behind Bib Gourmand restaurant C as in Charlie and James Beard Award semifinalist Kisa. In their new East Village spot, classic Southern buffets serve as the inspiration, with dishes like fried chicken, collard greens and cornbread available as part of the all-you-can-eat experience.

Hommali

• 28 7th Ave. S., New York, NY 10014
• West Village

The wide-ranging flavors of Bangkok are on offer at Hommali, a new contemporary Thai spot opening this month from chef Chattchakorn “Benz” Khajornchaisan. But chef Benz interprets them through her own lens—think a seafood cocktail with razor clams, scallop and shrimp with a sauce inspired by tom yum—and with her own housemade seasonings, like fermented chili and curry paste. Hom mali means fragrant jasmine rice in Thai, so it’s no surprise that the grain is featured in the food, but it’s also found in the drinks as well: don’t miss the Banana made with jasmine rice-infused whiskey, or the Tomato, a michelada-spritz with a base of Singaporean rice wine.

The 2026 fall restaurant season is no different, with everything from Michelin-chef-led eateries to massive Midtown complexes opening starting next month. The hardest part (which, let’s be honest, is still pretty fun) is figuring out where to eat first. Luckily, we’ve been researching upcoming openings across the boroughs for weeks now: below, you’ll find details on the new spots that we’ve been tracking most feverishly—the places worth setting a reservation alert for months before their grand openings. Read on for details on the 15 spots we’re most excited to try, and look out later this fall for our regular guides for the best restaurant openings listed month by month.

The Astor

• September
• 425 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10003
• Noho

James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini (Locanda Verde, The Dutch) revamps the restaurant inside The Public Theater this fall with the opening of The Astor. In a space designed by Serge Becker, the menu will feature elevated tavern fare paired with a cocktail list full of classic tipples. Pre-theater dining has never been so chic.

Brasserie Boulud

• September
• 1900 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
• Lincoln Square

One of Lincoln Center’s best pre-theater options returns this fall in new and improved form with the opening of Brasserie Boulud just across from the theater complex. Designed by Rockwell Group, the renovated all-day restaurant complex will encompass two floors, a 27-seat bar, multiple private dining rooms and a speakeasy. Menu-wise, you can expect French cuisine like only chef Daniel Boulud can do, with a menu that prides itself on seasonality and tradition.

Dante Elizabeth Street

• September
• 210 Elizabeth St., New York, NY 10012
• Nolita

Beloved cocktail bar and restaurant Dante opens a new spot on Elizabeth St. in early fall, in a space that will encompass a wood-fired grill and a pizza oven. It is the very same spot where owners Linden Pride and Nathalie Hudson first decided to move to NYC from Australia to start their New York adventure together. A robust menu of spritzes, martinis and Negronis, the drink for which Dante became famous, will be on offer

Hommali

• September
• 28 7th Ave. S., New York, NY 10014
• West Village

Eleven Madison Park-trained chef Chattchakorn “Benz” Khajornchaisan, along with partners Kritayanee “Air” Promsarin and Pichalak “Picha” Srigungvarl, will open Hommali next month, an ode to their native Thailand as seen through an elevated lens. Rice dishes will be a focal point of both the food and drink menus (hommali means “fragrant jasmine rice” in Thai), and the double-floor space will have areas for communal seating as well as a main dining room.

One Bryant Park

• September
• 135 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036
• Bryant Park

One of the largest—by square footage—openings of the season is this Japanese complex at the base of the Bank of America Tower in Midtown. Concepts inside include a 60-seat kaiseki restaurant helmed by culinary director Tadaaki Ishizaki; the return of chef Chikara Sono’s Kappo Sono, a 10-seat kaiseki counter; and Kumiko Room, a 14-seat Edomae-style sushi counter under the direction of Michelin-starred chef Yoshihiko Kousaka.

Cholapink

• October
• 32 Spring St., New York, NY 10012
• Nolita

World’s 50 Best chef Jaime Pesaque and musician Daddy Yankee join forces this fall to open Cholapink, a casual Peruvian spot whose menu centers on anticuchos or grilled meat skewers. Also on offer will be ceviche, arroz chaufa (fried rice) and classic Peruvian beverages.

Dragonne

• Fall 2026
• 13 Barrow St., New York, NY 10014
• West Village

Anita Lo’s Annisa once occupied one of the West Village’s most romantic spaces, and happily, a new restaurant is moving in. Dragonne is a modern bistro from chef Mark Chou, who has worked in venerated kitchens like Le Bernardin and Eleven Madison Park. The tightly edited, shareable menu will launch with plates like grilled abalone and donko shiitake skewers, and cumin lamb ribs served with Medjool dates and Banyuls.

But even with this smaller group of restaurants, there are still certain trends emerging from the pack. Southern food, for one, is having a moment lately: not only is Philadelphia import Love & Honey Fried Chicken opening near the Barclays Center, but Ferguson’s Country, the newest concept from the team behind Baba Cool, lands in Williamsburg next month. Steakhouses are also on the upswing, though taking as many forms as there are cuts of beef: a classic interpretation arrives in Sutton Place with The Derby Club, while Indian flavors are at the forefront with Elder, a chophouse in Hudson Yards; and a Mediterranean spin is on the menu at Liba across the river in Brooklyn. 

Figure out where your next reservation should be by reading our curated list below: Read on for the 9 best restaurants opening in New York this August.

Le Café Lacoste

• 768 5th Ave., New York, NY 10019
• Central Park South

One of late summer’s most photogenic restaurant pop-ups is back: Le Café Lacoste inside the famed Palm Court at The Plaza hotel. This year’s menu—which is again inspired by both the fashion brand’s connection to tennis and the upcoming U.S. Open—features a French-inflected afternoon tea, complete with a brand-new pastry molded like Lacoste’s iconic polo shirt that’s filled with strawberry compote and cream cheese mousse. And bonus: Lacoste is also running a clothing pop-up in the hotel’s Edwardian Room, making this pop-up one of the only times you can wear your food and still look chic.

Cospa Ramen

• 36 W. 26th St., New York, NY 10010
• Nomad

Hand Hospitality (Atoboy, Lysée) opens up their most affordable concept this month: the fast-casual Cospa Ramen, serving up bowls starting at $9.99. But, obviously, microwaved noodles this is not: the main item on the menu is Nagahama ramen, a hearty and budget-friendly meal originally created for workers at a fish market. With thin noodles, a light tonkotsu broth and pork chashu, the dish is one hot soup we don’t mind eating in August (and ask for kaedama, or extra noodles, if you’re especially hungry).

The Derby Club

• 358 E. 57th St., New York, NY 10022
• Midtown East

Chef Ed Cotton (Jack & Charlie’s, Leonetta) opens his third concept this month, a Sutton Place spot that aims to recreate the excess and classic American dishes of New York in the 1980s, but with a contemporary spin. A chicken pot pie here comes in a puff pastry shell filled with poached chicken, root veggies and a chicken broth swirled with crème fraîche. And, of course, there will be plenty of steaks, from a dry-aged porterhouse to a London broil made with Hawaiian wagyu.

Elder

• 517 W. 38th St., New York, NY 10018
• Hudson Yards

New condo building Henry Hall welcomes its second restaurant this month with the opening of Elder, a British-Indian spot that joins Indienne. Both concepts come from chef Sujan Sarkar, but the newer pays homage to both London’s famed chophouses as well as Sarkar’s childhood in India (the restaurant is named after the elderflower, which is found in both British and Indian dishes). Elder’s menu focuses on prime cuts and seafood, all of which are enlivened by chutneys, herbs and spices popular on the Indian subcontinent. Think a Berkshire pork rib vindaloo masala, or a tellicherry peppercorn-crusted filet mignon. Wash it all down with an Elder Gibson: gin, sirka brine, dry vermouth, pearl onion and gooseberry.

Frenzie

• 129 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11201
• Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn Heights’ restaurant scene continues its sneaky ascent from sleepy to sleeper hit with the debut of Frenzie, a wine bar and pizza spot from the Confidant team of Brendan Kelley and Daniel Grossman. Opening next door to its sister establishment, their new concept brings the chefs back to their roots—they originally met working at Roberta’s. Here, the menu focuses on New York-style pies on sourdough crust, paired with natural wines sourced by head bartender Charlie Szur. Grab a bunch of pies for the table, from the classic sausage and pepper to the vegan-friendly marinara topped with a kicky salsa verde.

Liba

• 107 N. 12th St., Brooklyn, NY 11249
• Williamsburg

The team behind 12 Chairs Cafe opens their first new spot in more than two decades this month: Liba inside The William Vale hotel. A modern Mediterranean concept with chef Maayan Glass at the burners, much of the menu is built around the kitchen’s 800-degree brick oven and in-house dry-aging program—you won’t want to miss the kebab “Napoleon” which features skewered beef and lamb drizzled with tahini. The cocktail program takes its cues from the same geographical region, with drinks like the Carrot Sour mixing rye whiskey with carrot, bitters, egg white and smoked paprika.

Love & Honey Fried Chicken

• 229 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217
• Prospect Heights

One of Philadelphia’s favorite fast-casual spots heads north this month, with the opening of Love & Honey Fried Chicken just a few steps from the Barclays Center. Founded by Culinary Institute of America-trained chefs Laura and Todd Lyons, the signature dish here has won many fans: humanely raised, brined and buttermilk-fried birds which are finished with—you guessed it—a drizzle of honey. Don’t miss the banana pudding, whose classic combination of fresh whipped cream and Nilla wafers is one of the best renditions out there.

Monkey Thief

• 754 9th Ave., New York, NY 10019
• Hell’s Kitchen

Monkey Thief made a splash before abruptly closing in 2024, but the pan-Asian Hell’s Kitchen spot is now ready for a comeback. The new space on 9th Avenue includes three discrete spaces: The Court, inspired by Southeast Asian streets; The Train Car, an ode to travel by rail; and The Den, a more lounge-like space. Grab shared plates like Sichuan peppercorn fried chicken or beef tartare with Thai chili sauce and a quail egg, but save room to explore the cocktail menu for surprising flavor pairings like that of the Silk Road: cognac, lacto-fermented beet, corn milk and saffron.

But if you’re looking for something a little more white tablecloth, we also have you covered. Not only has Mūje, the new concept from the chef behind Michelin-starred Jungsik, opened, but we also have all the details on Oberon, the sleek, vegetable-forward space inside the brand-new addition to the New Museum.

Read on to find out which tables are worth setting an alarm to book this month. Below are the 10 best restaurants opening in New York this July.

Bark Barbecue

• 25 Thames St., Brooklyn, NY 11206
• Bushwick

Summertime means barbecue, but most New Yorkers can’t exactly set up a backyard grill. That’s why Bark Barbecue might become your new favorite third space: the 8,000-square-foot spread in Bushwick has more than enough room for you and literally all of your friends. Self-taught pitmaster Ruben Santana’s menu is most closely aligned with the barbecue style that hails from Central Texas (meats cooked “low and slow” over live fire), but the flavors here also owe a debt to the chef’s Dominican upbringing. Hero ingredients include imported Dominican oregano, Constanza Melaza molasses and naranja agria (sour orange). We recommend grabbing plates to share, especially the crowd favorites of brisket, smoked carnitas and rib tips, along with the cerdo à la leña, a whole hog pit-smoked and inspired by a similar Dominican tradition.

Casa Felix

• 190 7th Ave., New York, NY 10011
• Chelsea

Merchants, the group behind Philippe Chow, pivots to Mexican with the opening of Casa Felix this month. With Mexico City’s ebullient nightlife as a major influence, the menu here is particularly focused on tequila and mezcal beverages, along with innovative share plates designed by chef Rey Martinez. A little gem salad, for example, is enlivened by Oaxacan-inspired grasshopper vinaigrette. As for what you should drink: beverage director Steven Restrepo shines with his margaritas and palomas, but an early favorite is the Some Like It Hot, a mezcal sour made with pasilla chile, hibiscus and lime.

Graciela

• 81 Greenwich Ave., New York, NY 10014
• West Village

Chances are, if you’ve been to Buenos Aires, someone told you to check out Don Julio, one of the city’s most venerated steakhouses. And now you won’t have to hop on a jet south to try some of restaurateur Pablo Rivero’s cuisine: his New York debut, Graciela, opened mid-month. In collaboration with Alex and Adam Saper (the brothers who launched Eataly in the U.S.), Rivero’s newest spot is inspired by Argentine bodegóns, or taverns. Its point of pride is one of the largest live-fire cooking surfaces in New York, thanks to both a bespoke Argentine parilla and a Josper oven, stoked by imported quebracho blanco charcoal. Highlights from the menu include a New York strip steak milanesa, ossobuco empanadas and lubina (branzino) a la parrilla. Wines, of course, are plentiful and geared toward organic and biodynamic labels; there are also many options for vermouth and vintage Fernet pours.

Grimm Tavern

• 659 Vanderbilt Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238
• Prospect Heights

While we still mourn the closing of Olmsted, happily, the space on Vanderbilt is occupied once again. Lauren and Joe Grimm, the couple behind Grimm Artisanal Ales in East Williamsburg, make their foray into food with this opening, with a menu focused on laid-back American tavern cuisine. Chef Greg Massaro’s dishes elevate classics like a smash burger made with chuck brisket, short rib and dry-aged beef tallow, or a pan-fried brook trout with porcini mushroom and tomato. Grimm Tavern marks the first time the Grimm group has expanded beyond beer and wine on its beverage menus, with this restaurant offering spirits and signature cocktails.

Keepers

• 34 8th Ave., New York, NY 10014
• West Village

Keepers, the newest bar and pizza joint from the team behind cocktail bar Dandelion, will start slinging pies at the end of this month. Meant to be an approachable but elevated nighttime spot, cocktails from beverage director Ricky Dolinsky will focus on Negronis, spritzes and frozen drinks, while the food menu, created in collaboration with Louis Tomczak (Paulie Gee’s), celebrates the humble bar pie—cracker-thin crust and crispy cheese on the edges. We’re particularly intrigued by Shore Thing: a pizza topped with spinach-artichoke dip and lump crab, served with a wedge of lemon.

Masani Pizza

• 96-01 69th Ave., Forest Hills, NY 11375
• Forest Hills

And if the West Village is a little too far for our Queens friends to travel for pizza, we’ve got exciting news: Forest Hills is getting some new pies, too. Masani Pizza is the brainchild of food Instagrammers Mike and Alexandra Chau, and the evolution of Lillian Pizzeria, which occupied the space until 2018. In its new form, Masani offers garlic knots and pinwheels; pizza by the slice or pie with toppings like cacio e pepe or pepperoni and hot honey; and pasta provided by Brooklyn Pasta Lab. And like any classic slice joint, dessert is provided by the Lemon Ice King of Corona.

Mūje

• 151 W. 30th St., New York, NY 10001
• Chelsea

Chef Jungsik Yim, of Michelin-starred Jungsik, branches out from Korean cuisine with the opening of Mūje, a tasting menu spot whose influences encompass much of the Asian continent. The name, which roughly translates to “without definition,” serves as the blueprint for the restaurant: cuisine that isn’t dictated by a specific tradition or culture. As such, the eight-course $150 menu includes dishes like a chicken wing stuffed with spiced pork and dusted with Korean “prinkle” seasoning, and—the meal’s showstopper—short rib served with four unique types of wraps, in an homage to multiple Asian cuisines. Add the wine pairing to complete the experience, but there is also a selection of cocktails available, like the Midnight in Samui, a butterfly pea-infused rum drink.

Oberon

• 7 Freeman Alley, New York, NY 10002
• Lower East Side

The New Museum’s addition was one of the larger architectural blockbuster stories for 2026. And now, it’s complemented by the addition of Oberon, a full-service restaurant created by Henry Rich of The Oberon Group. Executive chef Julia Sherman has conceived a vegetable-forward, zero-waste menu in an OMA-designed space that befits a concept housed inside a contemporary art museum. The burger, made with dry-aged beef, is an early favorite, but we also recommend ordering nearly all of the seasonally shifting appetizers, especially now that fruit and vegetables are at their summer peak. Don’t leave without tasting the rich chocolate mousse, which is sprinkled with espresso salt.

Recente

• 182 2nd Ave., New York, NY 10003
• East Village

Dante alums Willem Hock and Lukas Canan will open their first standalone space at the end of this month, with a concept that blends elements of both Italian and Australian cuisine. Recente, with a kitchen led by Mary Bartel (Four Twenty Five), will launch with summer-inflected dishes like a tomato and peach salad perked up with shiso and verbena, and pappardelle served with an XO-oxtail ragu. Pair it all with refreshing spritzes or low-intervention drinks, or try the specialty of the menu, the Martini Recente, a set of three variations of the classic cocktail (verde, classico and sozzo).

Taco Lane

• 15 E. 13th St., New York, NY 10003
• Greenwich Village

Tacos by way of Asia are the latest addition to the Village, thanks to Taco Lane, a concept from husband-and-wife duo Lane Li and Chris Wang (Noodle Lane). The menu here is tightly edited (which also means it’s not hard to try everything): six tacos that include variations like dan dan pork and smoked honeycomb tripe, as well as housemade salsas infused with Asian ingredients like Sichuan peppercorn. Wash it all down with a beer: a Tsingtao or Hitachino, of course.

But for those days when it gets a little too hot, there are also plenty of spots to check out with indoor dining and air conditioning. Whether you’re looking for a midday grab-and-go lunch at the city’s newest and eagerly anticipated food market, Shaver Hall, or a multi-course tasting menu of wagyu, we’ve got all the details on concepts both high and low.

And finally, if summer means never-ending cocktail hour to you, June comes armed with some of the year’s most talked-about bar openings, like a new Mexican spot with drinks from the legendary, James Beard Award-nominated Ivy Mix, plus New York Distilling Company’s Jaywalker, a Bushwick watering hole that will specialize in rye-based cocktails.

Read on to discover more about the 10 most exciting restaurants opening in New York City this June.

Fireboat

• Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, NY 11201
• Dumbo

Perhaps a uniquely New York summer tradition is drinking on a boat—decommissioned docked ones, that is. This year, we welcome Fireboat to the rotation, the latest project from Crew (Grand Banks, The Yacht Club), which takes over Pilot’s berth while that schooner gets restored. As its name may suggest, the restaurant and bar exists inside a former FDNY fireboat—the Governor Alfred E. Smith, to be exact—but its menu is decidedly tropical. Think cocktails with names like Wildfire, a tequila drink kicked up with habanero and strawberry, and casual bites like jerk chicken sandwiches and pina colada ice cream.

Jaywalker

• 573 Johnson Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11237
• Bushwick

From New York Distilling Company, Jaywalker is a new bar and community gathering spot that will feature programming ranging from guided tastings to interactive whiskey blending. Jamie Gordon is the brains behind the cocktail menu, which is inspired by daily NYC institutions like bodegas and the Greenmarket. An early crowd favorite is the boozy Egg Cream, made with rye, cognac, house-made chocolate syrup, milk and seltzer. Pair it with dim sum bites courtesy of Kings Co. Imperial, including cold sesame noodles with peanuts or chicken wontons with cinnamon red oil.

Lalaon

• 22 N. 6th St., Brooklyn, NY 11249
• Williamsburg

Korean…everything has been having a moment this year, so it’s not a huge surprise that one of the (literally) largest openings of the summer is inspired by Seoul. Created by Ju Young Oh and Min Sung Kang, Lalaon is an over 300-seat space right on the East River, inspired by the popular Korean practice of riverside dining. The dishes here are meant for sharing: Korean barbecue with premium cuts of meat, stews and banchan make up the bulk of the menu. Cocktail-wise, you’ll find plenty of Korean influence, like the refreshing GGC made with soju, vodka and yuzu.

Noury

• 137 Sullivan St., New York, NY 10012
• Soho

The husband-and-wife team behind Kiko, chef Alex Chang and sommelier Lina Goujjane, are back with a new project, this one a mix between an izakaya and a sake bar. Noury, however, takes a more modern approach to typical izakaya fare, with items like an onion tart and bonito cream, or the grilled Montauk tuna belly served with egg and mustard miso. But you’ll be forgiven if you come here just for the wine and sake list alone, which Goujjane has curated with an emphasis on bottles that are difficult to find nearly anywhere else in the country.

Le Sixth

• 359 6th Ave., New York, NY 10014
• Greenwich Village

The West Village gains an elevated French bistro this month with the opening of Le Sixth, helmed by chef Philippe Orrico. The modern French menu reflects the chef’s time in Paris, as well as his experiences in London, Hong Kong and New York, resulting in dishes like the bar menu’s salmon and avocado cones or ravioli served with Comté cheese and summer truffle. As is to be expected, the wine list is heavy on French varietals, but also features an edited selection of international bottles. Look out for the launch of brunch and outdoor seating in the upcoming weeks.

Shaver Hall

• 424 5th Ave., New York, NY 10018
• Midtown West

In one of the more radical transformations of New York real estate, the space formerly known as Lord & Taylor is now becoming a food hall. Officially opening at the end of this month, the 35,000-square-foot space will include 11 “eateries” or more casual spots, three full-service restaurants, two bars and even an elevated bodega complete with a 20-tap beer wall. But the three restaurants have drawn the most pre-opening buzz: the first U.S. location of London’s Pick & Cheese, which includes a 200-foot conveyor belt; classic-leaning Tallow Steakhouse; and Mako, a 12-seat Japanese spot whose sister location in Chicago has a Michelin star.

Somssi

• 79 MacDougal St., New York, NY 10012
• Greenwich Village

Ahris Kim, a member of NA:EUN Hospitality (Atoboy, Atomix), strikes out on her own with Somssi, a new Village restaurant with a menu of Asian-European small plates. The menu, from chefs Junghyun ‘JP’ Park, Yoonsoo Park and Daniel Gronert, pairs unusual flavors to great effect—the tuna crudo is served with fresh-crushed peas and goat cheese, for example, before being tossed with an anchovy soy dressing. But the dish that you’re probably already seeing on social media is the “Potato, Potato, Potato,” composed of pomme puree, potato starch and potato strings, topped with a dollop of caviar. And don’t miss the White Rabbit ice cream: a cheeky take on the chewy, milk-based candy popular in Asia.

Titán

• 5 Front St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
• Dumbo

In one of 2026’s most powerhouse collaborations, Alan Delgado (Oxomoco) and James Beard Award nominee Ivy Mix (Leyenda) have joined forces to open Titán, a Mexican restaurant and bar. Launching on June 17, the menu focuses on dishes and flavors prominent in northern Mexico, and includes a large selection of botanas (snacks), tacos with both corn and flour tortillas, and larger dishes like pork chops and eggplant milanesa. Mix’s cocktail menu, similarly, focuses on tequila and other Mexican spirits like sotols and eaux de vie, and includes clever concoctions like draft margaritas and a seasonally changing selection of micheladas.

Tsuki

• 193 7th Ave., New York, NY 10011
• Chelsea

The only thing New Yorkers might love better than a new, buzzy restaurant is one that’s also hidden. Such is the concept behind Tsuki, a 16-seat spot that’s secreted inside Kei, an izakaya on 7th Avenue. Once you find your way to the clandestine dining room, the six-course menu highlights izakaya dishes with more elevated ingredients and techniques, like a grilled eel omelet wrapped in filo dough or soba gussied up with lobster and house-made noodles. We recommend adding on the beverage pairing, which includes three drinks designed to move alongside the menu’s flavors and that pay homage to both Japan and New York.

Yakiniku Great

• 12 W. 17th St., New York, NY 10011
• Chelsea

While in New York we’re most familiar with sushi omakase, the word more or less translates to “chef’s choice.” And at Yakiniku Great, the star dish is wagyu, specifically Japanese black wagyu, also known as kuroge. To elevate the experience further, the yakiniku, or grilled meat, here is not left to the diners to cook but overseen by a chef. At this first U.S. location of the chain, tasting menus will serve five or seven cuts of the luxury beef, with an emphasis on akami, or leaner cuts.

But if you’re feeling overwhelmed at where to start, we can help with that: we’ve been tracking May’s best new openings for months now, and have chosen our favorite dozen. It’s an especially fruitful time for imports, whether you’re interested in checking out one of Chicago’s most famed Indian spots, or Tokyo’s take on Neapolitan pizza (it turns out New York isn’t the only place that can sling a pie). And old-school American also seems to be trending, both in bar and soda shop form, just in time for our country’s 250th birthday. 

Read on for the 12 best new restaurants to try in New York this May.

Bar Susanne

• 6 River St., Brooklyn, NY, 11249
• Williamsburg

Just in time to take advantage of warm, late spring nights comes Bar Susanne, a new cocktail and raw bar with a menu focused on items from local waterways. Seafood, obviously, is what you want to order here: the menu, crafted by executive chef Jackie Carnesi, includes everything from classics like a shrimp cocktail with an intriguing roasted shrimp shell aioli, to cheekier offerings like the sour cream and onion caviar service—served with fried onion petals and chive sour cream, naturally. Drinks-wise, the beverage program, created by Milos Zica (Employees Only), is heavy on martinis, but is also notable for its selection of agave and New York wines. Our pick for a cocktail? The Talented Miss Ripley: olive oil fat-washed gin, oregano, vermouth, lemon, coriander and an oil pearl.

Botequim at Birdee

• 316 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11249
• Williamsburg

A new wine bar from one of the city’s most in-demand pastry chefs? We’re pretty much sold right there, but we’ll supply the details so you can be the first to tell your friends. Opening on the 23rd is Botequim at Birdee, an evening concept inside the popular bakery that will be in operation Thursday through Saturday nights. The menu, created by chef Renata Ameni, will consist of share plates mostly inspired by Brazilian cuisine, like pão de queijo with roasted garlic aioli or palmito pupunha: roasted heart of palm topped with chimichurri. Apart from a sizable wine by the glass list, there’s also a small selection of playful cocktails like the Tropicale, made with sherry, pineapple and green tea cordial.

Cafe Bar J.F.

• 50 Withers St., Brooklyn, NY, 11211
• Williamsburg

Dearly departed Llama Inn rises again (kind of) with the opening of Cafe Bar J.F. in its former space. The new tenant is a South American tavern concept from the restaurateur behind the original Llama Inn, Juan Correa (also of Llama San and Papa San), alongside chef Francisco Castillo. But the menu here skews more pan-continental, with influences not only from Peru, but Chile and Argentina, as well. Standouts include a grilled swordfish with yellow-eyed beans as well as a decadent tres leches cake flavored with tonka bean and white chocolate. And of course, don’t leave without trying a pisco sour, which is based on Correa’s mother’s own recipe.

Hed NYC

• 461 W. 23rd St., New York, NY, 10011
• Chelsea

One of San Francisco’s most venerated Thai restaurant groups makes their New York debut this month with the opening of Hed NYC. East West Cuisine Hospitality, which operates Hed 11 and Hed Verythai, has reimagined its menu for a New York audience; however, expect a seasonally changing tasting menu, with each one highlighting a different region of Thailand. Southern Thai is up first for summer, with a seven-course feast emphasizing seafood like oysters, scallops and lobster. Wine pairings span the globe, with bottles ranging from Loire Valley pét-nats to Burgundian chardonnays.

Indienne New York

• 515 W. 38th St., 2nd Floor, New York, NY, 10018
• Hudson Yards

Another famed import, this one from Chicago, also makes a much-anticipated appearance this month. Indienne New York is an offshoot of Michelin-starred Indienne, one of the most lauded Indian restaurants in the country. For the Manhattan location, which will live inside Hudson Yards’ Henry Hall development, chef Sujan Sarkar is focusing on a nine-course seasonal tasting menu that blends traditional Indian flavors with classic European technique. An optional wine pairing is available, as is a spirit-free variation. But Sarkar’s New York plans don’t end here: look out for Apas, a cocktail bar, and Elder, a London-style chophouse, to open in the same complex this summer.

Kinda Nice

• 168 Borinquen Pl., Brooklyn, NY, 11211
• East Williamsburg

Old-school Americana is the theme of this new cocktail bar, which opened in Williamsburg at the top of the month. The creation of two Grand Army bar veterans—Patty Dennison and Ally Marrone—you can think of Kinda Nice as part dive bar and part diner, but where the food and drinks are actually good. Come here for hot chicken and waffles, stay for a banana pancake Old Fashioned. Later this year, the space will also welcome Shenanigans, a basement watering hole that’s sort of like the naughty little sister to the upstairs bar. Expect ice-cold beers and tunes blasting on the jukebox.

Love Thy Neighbor

• 55 Christopher St., New York, NY, 10014
• West Village

Just when you thought New York already boasted every restaurant concept imaginable, you learn of something new. Love Thy Neighbor is a new all-day bar and restaurant on Christopher Street, but it’s also themed under the direction of “no straight lines.” What does that mean? Well, in a literal sense, the space is curvilinear, but owners Shigefumi Kabashima (ROKC, NR) and chef Elyas Popa (Oti) have also created a menu that swerves. Think a pastrami tartare and drinks like the Wagyu Coke, made with wagyu fat-washed bourbon, house cola syrup and clarified black cherry purée. The space will launch with evening service, but look out for their day program and weekend brunch to roll out soon.

Oyatte

• 125 E. 39th St, New York, NY, 10016
• Murray Hill

Is Murray Hill growing up? If the neighborhood’s latest high-profile opening is any indication, it certainly seems that way. Oyatte, a fine-dining spot from chef Hasung Lee, offers a contemporary, eight-course tasting menu, notable for building the entire concept around the products from a single farm (Crown Daisy Farm) in upstate New York. Lee, who worked in kitchens including The French Laundry, Gramercy Tavern and Atomix, has a serious pedigree, which is on display in dishes like a fermented carrot “donut” filled with carrot tartare and saffron raisin mostarda served atop caramelized carrot foam, and a Maine scallop marinated in mirin and wrapped in savoy cabbage.

Pizza Studio Tamaki

• 123 St. Marks Pl., New York, NY, 10009
• East Village

Although it’s only been open for a handful of weeks, Pizza Studio Tamaki has already become one of downtown’s hardest reservations to snag. And, considering how much superb pizza this city already has and that this spot is an international import, that’s really saying something. But chef Tsubasa Tamaki’s Tokyo-style Neapolitan pies are famous for a reason: they’re made from a 30-hour-fermented dough and baked in a custom oven that includes a fire stoked with Japanese cedar shavings. We recommend trying the signature Tamaki pizza: cherry tomatoes, smoked mozzarella, pecorino romano and basil, and washing it down after with a Japanese citrus lager.

Selene

• 23 Grand St., New York, NY, 10013
• Soho

Travel to the Greek Isles by way of Soho this month, thanks to the opening of Selene, a lively new three-floor restaurant that includes both a garden terrace and a roof atrium. Coastal dishes from the Aegean form the bulk of chef Christos Bisiotis’ menu: think simply grilled whole fish, shellfish and octopus or citrus-spritzed crudo. And, in true downtown fashion, the restaurant morphs into more of a nightlife space as the night lengthens, making it an ideal spot to spend your entire night out.

Sono

• 176 First Ave., New York, NY, 10009
• East Village

New York is no stranger to fusion cuisine, but a new concept opening this month in the East Village is one that we don’t see very often. Sono, from Sechul Yang (Gramercy Tavern, Maialino), is a Korean-Italian kitchen, focusing primarily on the pasta intersection of both cuisines. His handmade noodles will be paired with fermented sauces and pickled vegetables, and shine in dishes like the Bottarga Pasta, which is made with butter and saffron, as well as Korean zucchini, pollock roe, nori and bottarga. Don’t leave without trying the house-made infused soju, with flavors inspired by Italian digestivi.

When I first traveled to Japan a dozen years ago for my honeymoon, I had been so ensorcelled by the otherworldly appearance of Tokyo that I didn’t even think to add another stop on our itinerary in the country. Of course, once you’re in the country, it’s impossible to avoid billboards and advertisements everywhere for Kyoto, which is only a little over two hours away from Japan’s capital via the Shinkansen, or bullet train. Alas, by the time I realized how much we were missing of Japanese history, culture and cuisine by not visiting, it was too late to pivot and add a stop.

But, as I am nothing if not annoyingly determined, I’ve spent the last 12 years plotting both my return to the country and, finally, a stop at this dynamic and picturesque former capital.

While Tokyo overwhelms itinerary planning with its sheer size, organizing a trip to Kyoto requires attention to detail for different reasons—namely, that nearly all of its hotel stock and range of restaurants are, bafflingly, recommended. And even if you’re only eyeing the five-star range, the options are still extensive: Aman, Four Seasons and The Ritz-Carlton all have outposts here.

But in a city with as much concentrated history as Kyoto, and especially one that’s known for its beautifully preserved temples, shrines and palaces, I wanted to book a room somewhere that was infused with a similar sense of belonging. The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto ticked the boxes for a few reasons: it’s part of the small Imperial Hotel group that’s based in Japan as opposed to part of a larger, overseas conglomerate; this specific property is housed inside the historic Yasaka Kaikan, which was once a storied performing arts hall; and finally, its location in Gion, arguably the beating heart of all of Kyoto’s historic districts.

However, reserving a hotel barely two weeks after its opening is not without its perils: what if last-minute construction delays push back reservations? What if the service hasn’t hit its stride? Thankfully, I can report that after beginning to welcome guests only on March 5, the staff at Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, were already cohesive in a way that felt as if the property had been open for decades. 

Perhaps this has to do with the long history of the building in which it’s housed, which was designated a Tangible Cultural Property in 2001 (although it had been vacant for years due to concerns about seismic activity stability). Imperial, intent on preserving as much of the striking exterior as possible while building a new construction that could withstand earthquakes, then embarked on a nearly five-year renovation, ultimately finishing with a 55-room property with five different room categories, including a set of suites that all clock in at over 1,000 square feet.

But even the non-suite rooms, which start at 600-plus square feet, are spacious, and also notable for the multiple design options available to guests. Those looking for a space more historically Japanese and not unlike what would be found in Gion’s machiya (traditional wooden houses) on the streets below, can opt for a room in the North Wing, which features tatami flooring, cherrywood planks and a clean, minimalist design. But if a more Western style is preferred (and you can also keep your shoes on in these), then those in the Main Building, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sleek, contemporary look, fit the bill. A special perk in all rooms is the soft, oversized cotton pajamas, stocked in the dresser, available for use during your stay. I can’t say for sure that they helped me sleep better, but I was certainly cozy, if not exactly fashion-forward, in them.

The hotel’s public spaces have a similar interior design to the rooms: restrained and minimalist, but never tipping into severe. Think rattan-backed cream armchairs, with brass and stone accents on the walls and ceiling in the lobby. This area is surprisingly quiet, thanks to the security protocol that requires you to swipe your key to open the main door. Similarly, the small, but elegant, rooftop is exclusive to hotel guests, so the 24-seat bar and patio are never crowded. But the showstopper space within the hotel is actually many floors below, in the basement. Here, you’ll find a sultry, cave-like heated indoor pool; an ideal spot to unwind after a day spent exploring temples and shrines.

Apart from the historical sites, a large draw to Kyoto is the concentration and caliber of its restaurants. As such, it’s not surprising that the Imperial itself is home to multiple concepts, including Ren, a chef’s counter-style French spot, and the Old Imperial Bar, a 20-seat classic cocktail lounge. But the meal that left even this food writer amazed was the included Japanese-style breakfast, which you can have served either in your room or at Yasaka, the hotel’s sunny, all-day dining option. I suggest the former, so you can eat the veritable feast in your hotel-approved jammies. The spread is so large, it comes with a menu so you can identify each component, which includes a three-tiered box filled with everything from prawns to green beans, plus fresh-squeezed juice, miso soup, a rolled omelet and more.

Whether during a casual breakfast in your room or while enjoying the calm of the lobby, I found there was a confident elegance to this property, despite the fact that it’s brand-new. While I had my 10-year-old daughter in tow, and the staff was more than happy to accommodate her, I would instead recommend this property more for solo or couple travelers rather than families, both due to the quiet nature of the hotel and the multiple bar spaces. With a starting rate of 164,500 JPY (which, at press time, is a little over $1,000), it’s not inexpensive. But compared to the pricing for some of the aforementioned luxury chains, it’s a relative bargain in the five-star hotel space—especially for Kyoto.

We whittled this month’s list down to the proverbial top 10; in it, you’ll find not one, but two nouveau rotisserie spots, a massive complex run by the team behind Cote and Coqodaq and details on two rabidly anticipated arrivals: Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop Kitchen, and the Roman & Williams restaurant inside Sotheby’s, Marcel. 

And if that’s still not enough to satisfy your hunger, we’d also like to call out a trio of new pizza spots opening up this month: for as many pies as we have currently, there is always room for more. Patsy’s has opened a downtown flagship at Freehand New York; Prince Street Pizza expanded into Brooklyn for the first time with a shop in Carroll Gardens; and Sama ‘Za, a new concept in Hell’s Kitchen, aims to capture the nostalgic vibes of ‘90s slice joints. Read on for the 10 best new restaurants to check out this April in New York.

550 Madison

• 550 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10022
• Midtown East

Simon Kim’s Gracious Hospitality, the team behind the perennially packed Cote and Coqodaq, is back with its most expansive project to date: 550 Madison, a multi-level concept encompassing three different venues, all designed by Rockwell Group. Inside the Midtown East hub, you’ll find a second location of elevated Korean barbecue spot Cote; Sushi Yoshitake, an omakase bar run by Michelin three-star chef Masahiro Yoshitake; and Bar Chimera, which is actually three bars with three distinct menus, focusing on martinis, whiskey and wine, respectively. Did Midtown just get … cool?

After Eden

• 162 Orchard St., New York, NY 10002
• Lower East Side

This new all-day bar and cafe imagines, as its name implies, what happens as paradise evolves. But what does that entail for food and beverage? In this case, a daytime program featuring trendy Vietnamese coffee drinks like cà phê phin and bánh mì sandwiches made by chef Nancy Nguyen (formerly of Eleven Madison Park), and an evening shift to cocktails from founder and beverage director Gelo Honrade. We’re particularly intrigued by the savory-forward drinks on the menu, like the Pho-Tini made with sotol and aged scotch steeped in a vegan pho vermouth reduction, and finished, cheekily, with a beef chip.

Arthur

• 132 Franklin St., Brooklyn, NY 11222
• Greenpoint

Taking over the former Fulgurances space is this bistro, helmed by chef Kevin Finch, formerly the chef de cuisine at San Francisco’s Michelin three-star Atelier Crenn. As such, expectations for Finch’s artistry in the kitchen were high—and if the lack of reservations in these first few weeks is any indication, early diners seem to be having them met. The menu here is an ode to the bounty of the Northeast: witness a tartare made with New York state beef and black garlic or brioche served with house-cultured butter and blue cheese. That airy French bread also inspired the most unusual cocktail on the menu: the brioche martini, which is made with butter-washed gin and a splash of barley tea to mimic a toasty flavor.

Bar Ferdinando

• 151 Union St., Brooklyn, NY 11231
• Carroll Gardens

Ferdinando’s Focacceria rises again, this time with alcohol, thanks to chef Sal Lamboglia, who opened a new concept in the space on April 15. In its latest iteration, the Union Street shop has been transformed into an all-day bar and cafe, serving classic Italian pastries like vanilla crema bomboloni and espresso maritozzi, as well as classic cocktails from martinis to spritzes, plus NA drinks like the (literally) buzzy Brooklyn Buzz Special, a house-made espresso soda. As for heartier dishes, the famed focaccia will live on in sandwiches stuffed with prosciutto or caponata, as well as the pane e panelle, a favorite bite from the former location, which is still made using the original recipe.

Cleo

• 621 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014
• West Village

We didn’t imagine rotisserie chicken having a moment on our 2026 bingo card, but here we are. If you don’t believe us, head to Cleo, the new restaurant from Halley Chambers and Kip Gleize of Three Top Hospitality (Margot), that opened on the 17th on Hudson Street. But, as you might expect from a spot in the heart of the West Village, boring white meat preparations, this is not. Instead, you’ll find birds marinated for 24 hours in a secret house-blend of spices, basted with citrus butter, and served with multiple sauces, like labneh ranch. Leave room for the sides as well, including innovative takes on picnic classics like corn ribs seasoned with za’atar. And, just in time for summer, the restaurant also plans to open up a takeout window.

Gigi’s

• 138 Franklin St., Brooklyn, NY 11222
• Greenpoint

In other avant-garde rotisserie news, the team behind Fulgurances has opened this rotisserie/wine bar, which, to our knowledge, may be the only one of its kind in New York. The food menu here is small but mighty, focusing on the aforementioned chicken in half or whole portions, plus simple sides like rice with drippings and consommé. (The $40 half chicken has already garnered quite a bit of talk.) As for wine, expect all the French heavy hitters here; around 4,000 bottles were shipped over from Paris from the original Fulgurances.

Goop Kitchen

• 245 W 46th St., New York, NY 10036
• Midtown West

Gwyneth Paltrow fans, rejoice: the patron saint of mindful eating is finally opening an outpost of her restaurant outside of California, and it’s landing in our fair city on April 20. And while the concept is fast casual, you won’t find any sad desk salads here: instead, ingredients in dishes have been optimized to taste just as fresh after delivery. On the spring menu, look out for seasonal salads with ingredients like asparagus, snap peas and mint; and rice bowls topped with blackened seared salmon, everything bagel seasoning and pesto vinaigrette.

Marcel

• 945 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10021
• Upper East Side

One of this season’s most hotly anticipated arrivals is in a rather surprising location. Auction houses, after all, aren’t exactly known for their food and beverage programs (unless we’re talking about vintage wine sales). But then again, Sotheby’s is no simple auction house, nor is the brutalist Breuer building in which it’s housed. As such, Marcel, which opened on April 16 and is operated by renowned design firm Roman & Williams (which also owns La Mercerie downtown), fits right in. But aside from the digs, the classic French food here, envisioned by chef Marie-Aude Rose, is also worth the trip. Grab a sourdough tartine with French ham and comté for a snack, or tuck into the lobster, served with roasted pineapple and turmeric-ginger cream, for something richer. Look out for lunch starting in early May.

Sadie’s

• 19 Fulton St., New York, NY 10038
• Seaport

Just in time for al fresco season, Sadie’s will open one of the city’s largest outdoor spaces when it starts serving customers on April 30. Aside from the 200-seat Garden Bar, there will also be a full-service dining room and spacious outdoor patio—ideal for catching the sunset on the water. Menu-wise, think classic American: burgers, wedge salads and ice cream sundaes, plus a drink menu heavy on innovative margaritas and spritzes.

As a New Yorker for going on almost two decades now, it’s safe to say I’m inured to the frantic pace that this city and others like it possess. In fact, more often than not, I find myself traveling on vacation to other places that contain a similar, barely contained explosive energy—it’s why I planned a trip to Tokyo this March, perhaps the only other city on the planet that can rival NYC for sheer amount of stimuli.

But just as I wouldn’t recommend anyone coming to New York to stay in the oversaturated melee of Times Square, nor did I want to be stuck navigating the neon lights of Shinjuku, or swimming in the sea of people at the Shibuya Crossing. For as much as I crave the Bret Easton Ellis-approved bright lights and big city, that’s not what I want needling my eyeballs as I try to fall asleep (probably at a dreadful hour thanks to the famously difficult transpacific jet lag). So you can imagine my delight in finding out that 1 Hotel Tokyo, a favorite zen-like hotel chain of mine, was not only opening in the city just a few days before I arrived, but doing so in Akasaka, an upscale but relatively calm neighborhood not far from the Imperial Palace, known for a mix of lively restaurants and a high concentration of office towers.

Many of 1 Hotel’s calming and eco-friendly hallmarks are present in this newest addition, the brand’s first in Japan. There are living walls, sustainable design (the property has earned CASBEE S certification, the country’s highest rating for environmental performance), and a trademark Bamford Wellness Spa. But its location high inside Akasaka Trust Tower (the 211-room hotel is located on the 38th through 43rd floors), makes the contrast between its wholly urban exterior and the airy, oasis-like calm inside that much more pronounced—more so than any of the other locations I’ve visited, which include West Hollywood and Central Park.

That sense of comfort starts as you enter the hotel’s greenery-covered ground-floor lobby. It continues upstairs during check-in, when you’re served an oshibori, the warm, scented towel that’s a traditional sign of greeting in most Japanese hotels. But it’s most apparent in the quiet room, which, with its weathered wood accents and a warm palette of stones and creams, is an instant shoulder-relaxer. Happily, they’re also roomy: not a given in a city like Tokyo, which is known as much for its expansive geographic size as the Lilliputian dimensions of many of its hotels.

My room, for example, billed as a Garden Two Queen, was roomy enough not only for the requisite two beds, but also a full-sized couch and a small dining table, as well as a shower, separate tub area, and—that most hallowed of Japanese room amenities—a Toto toilet, complete with heated seat. (And with pricing starting at $799 a night, it’s a relatively competitive rate for a five-star stay in an accessible neighborhood.)

The more public spaces of the hotel are similarly cozy, though decidedly livelier. Just like the West Hollywood property, the lobby here is scattered with plush couches and oversized chairs, ideal to take in the sweeping city views below. NiNi, the all-day restaurant, is also light-flooded, and its breakfast buffet, with an ample spread of Japanese and Western dishes, is a popular morning hangout for guests. I recommend ordering additional items off the breakfast menu, by the way: the custardy, soufflé-like French toast, served with roasted Mikan orange and chantilly cream, was one of my more memorable bites of the trip.

While most visitors will be out exploring during the day, Spotted Stone, the gin-focused bar in the lobby, is a convivial and chic spot for a nightcap. With one of the largest collections of Japanese gin in the city and a commitment to zero-waste cocktails (spent coffee grounds and citrus peel juicings are just a couple of their innovations), you’re also unlikely to find flavors like these at other Tokyo watering holes.

Unsurprisingly, the most zen-like space is the Bamford Wellness Spa, which focuses on holistic treatments using the eponymous brand’s products. The spa menu here is fairly focused—five types of massages and facials, along with longer wellness journeys that combine treatments—but for a city spa, it’s probably sufficient. After a 14-hour flight and lugging suitcases through multiple terminals, I opted for the 60-minute Japanese bamboo massage, a signature treatment that was designed specifically for this 1 Hotel outpost. As someone who’s often very ticklish during massages, being kneaded by a warm stick of hollow bamboo trunk was a revelation: I actually relaxed instead of tensed.

After staying at the property, I’d recommend this hotel to a range of travelers, from families who’d appreciate the large rooms to couples who should absolutely take advantage of the spa’s duo services. While the 1 Hotel can certainly accommodate business travelers, I can imagine one might look longingly at the gin bar or the indoor pool and wish for a full cancellation of meetings.

Many properties claim to feel like a home away from home, and as frequent travelers know, it’s easier for smaller, boutique hotels to convey that sense of warmth and cultivate a true sense of place. But though 1 Hotel is a chain with a deliberate, breezy aesthetic and strong sustainable values that encompass a wide range of international properties, I still found this location to feel both uniquely Japanese as well as homey. Maybe it was the basket of free apples in the lobby that guests can grab as they walk out the door—the same way I do at home. Maybe it’s the staff that greets you with a “Welcome home!” as you arrive back at the front door. But ultimately, this considered sort of service isn’t meant to be overanalyzed; if anything, it’s meant to help you think less, because everything is taken care of. That is a rare comfort, and one worth returning for.

Luckily, after only a comparative handful of openings during January and February, March brings a bumper crop of new places to explore—so much so that we had quite the task to narrow this list down to our favorites. But those that made the cut exemplify why New York’s culinary landscape continues to be one of the most dynamic of anywhere in the world: this month’s selections include everything from a cocktail omakase experience to Korean gimbap to a restaurant that bills itself as wild-to-table. To learn exactly what that is, as well as 10 other spots you should add to your map, read on for the 11 best new restaurants to check out in New York this March.

Carversteak

• 305 W. 48th St., New York, NY 10036
• Theater District

While we’ve just welcomed The Golden Steer to New York last month, another famed Vegas steakhouse makes its East Coast debut this March. And we’re predicting Carversteak will soon become a Theater District staple, not only because the area is lacking in quality spots to grab a ribeye, but because this menu is fun. Come for the short rib croquettes served with shallot marmalade, pickled mustard seeds and gochujang aioli; stay for the bone-in ribeye rubbed with black garlic and koji. The cocktail program is similarly inventive, from the Dirty Martini Experience that allows guests to choose their own drink intensity, to savory concoctions like the Shuck & Sear Martini, a cheeky nod to surf and turf with oyster vodka, droplets of lobster oil and a seared steak and onion garnish.

Balera

• 442 Graham Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11211
• Williamsburg

We’re never mad about a new Italian spot opening up in the five boroughs, but Balera brings a regional twist about which we’re particularly excited. Owner and beverage director Oliviero Lucchetti is highlighting cuisine from Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont—two of the country’s most well-respected culinary capitals—with pizzas, pastas and vegetable dishes showcasing the preparations and ingredients from those regions, many of which are not often found in New York. Look out for baked dishes like lasagna verde with ragù and chicken livers, as well as innovative pizzas like the Romagna Mia made with fiordilatte mozzarella, potatoes, sausage, Pecorino di Fossa di Sogliano and rosemary.

Da Toscano

• 49 W. 44th St., New York, NY 10036
• Midtown West

Pasta impresario Michael Toscano has moved his temple to the dish a few neighborhoods north, in a very welcome move for anyone living or working in Midtown. Located inside the historic Iroquois hotel, Da Toscano 2.0 retains much of the original’s DNA—agnolotti with lamb neck and drippings; veal chop parmigiana with mozzarella di bufala—while making a few happy upgrades to suit its new digs, most notably the additions of breakfast and lunch dining hours. Toscano has also launched a brand-new aperitivo and antipasto bar just a few steps away inside the hotel: Lantern’s Keep. The quiet lounge space feels miles away from the frenetic pace of Midtown Manhattan outside; it’s sure to be a hit.

Estelle’s

• 18 9th Ave., New York, NY 10014
• Meatpacking District

Meatpacking’s restaurants often trade on dazzle and excess, but one new entrant to the field aims to take a different tack. Estelle’s, which opened in early March on 9th Avenue, is named for the grandmother of co-owner Sean Largotta, and its cuisine is, unsurprisingly, rooted in comfort food classics, albeit cheffed-up ones. Standout dishes include a paccheri alla Norma made with the traditional ingredients of ricotta salata, tomato and eggplant, as well as tomahawk steak for two, served with duck fat tots, creamed spinach and béarnaise sauce. Pair it with one of the fruit-forward cocktails; we love the Saffron & Pear: aged rum, pear liqueur, Cocchi Americano, Strega and orange bitters.

Honey Badger

• 67 Fenimore St., Brooklyn, NY 11225
• Prospect Lefferts Gardens

We’re all familiar with farm-to-table dining, but what do you know about wild-to-table? If the answer, like most of us, is nothing, then head to Honey Badger, which just reopened after nearly a year’s closure. The revitalized space has a new tasting menu, innovative water and tea pairings, and even a fermentation lab run by former Noma member Jason Ignacio White. Cuisine-wise, the food can be classified as modern American, but with a strong emphasis on nose-to-tail and hyper-seasonal dishes. As such, many ingredients will be harvested same-day, and the menu will change according to what’s available and flourishing locally. Expect preparations to include fermenting, curing, smoking and preserving, and be prepared to be surprised.

Highball Ltd.

• 155 E. 44th St., New York, NY 10017
• Midtown East

Cocktail nerds, rejoice: we have a new Jeff Bell project, and it’s accessible from Grand Central Station. Highball Ltd. is the first Midtown project from the managing partner of the iconic East Village speakeasy Please Don’t Tell, and you can expect the same level of attention to detail and innovation as its downtown sibling. The opening menu will feature a tightly edited list of 15 drinks—five each, listed as classics, highballs and signature creations—as well as a separate section of NA alternatives. Obviously, as the name suggests, you should try one of the highballs (we recommend one with the bar’s superb selection of Japanese whisky), but don’t miss options like the refreshing Yuzu Negroni made with Roku Gin, shio koji and ponzu. And pro tip: save room for bar snacks like the steak tartare with quail’s egg.

Pies ‘n’ Thighs

• 244 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217
• Park Slope

As any fan of fried chicken, biscuits and pies can tell you, there is one place in New York to go if you want exemplary versions of all three. Until now, that is: 20 years after opening its iconic Williamsburg shop, Pies ‘n’ Thighs unveils a second location on Flatbush in Park Slope at the end of this month. Founder Sarah Sanneh will bring all the charm of the original location—think wraparound banquettes and an open kitchen—plus a menu chock-full of Pie’s beloved favorites, along with special additions for the new space: chicken tenders and a full kids’ menu.

Saverne

• 531 W. 34th St., New York, NY 10001
• Hudson Yards

Gabriel Kreuther’s eponymous bastion to fine French dining has long been a coveted spot for special occasion meals, but not exactly a place you pop into on a whim. But with the opening of Saverne inside The Spiral building in Hudson Yards, the chef aims to bring his talent to a wider audience with a modern brasserie menu. The stars here are the wood-fired specialties: try the wood-grilled swordfish steak with blood orange-mustard sauce, fennel and pistachios, or juniper and gin-cured venison served alongside blistered cherries, Sea Island peas and mint. But please save room for desserts, particularly the Alsatian classic floating island, which here is served with vanilla crème Anglaise and caramel sauce, inspired by the chef’s childhood favorite from the region.

Seventy Seven Alley

• 28 Cortlandt Alley, New York, NY 10013
• Tribeca

The restaurant opening this month that defies easy categorization is this spot in Cortlandt Alley, helmed by chef London Chase. Described as a “culinary studio,” the menu here is divided not by sizes of dishes, but by what the chef calls flavor verticals: heat, acid, salt, depth and fat. From there, diners can either order à la carte or sit at the eight-seat counter for the chef’s tasting experience. Look out for signature dishes like the Santa Barbara uni served with burnt eggplant, candied ginger and yuzu granita, or his elegant take on a chopped cheese made with koji-aged wagyu, Cooper cheese, kirby kimchi, koji onions and truffle.

TBD Gimbap

• 31 Carmine St., New York, NY 10014
• West Village

If all we say is that Launchpad Hospitality (the team behind the wildly popular temaki spot Nami Nori) is opening a new restaurant, we probably don’t need to say any more. But we will because we’re so excited: TBD Gimbap, run by chef Jihan Lee, is a long-term pop-up in the former Postcard Bakery space serving a small, but mighty menu of gimbap. And if you’re not familiar, the dish is a Korean speciality featuring rice and filling rolled inside seaweed (but do not call it sushi). Here, the menu will include everything from beef bulgogi to tuna mayo versions, as well as a rotating selection of surprise desserts. We guess that means you’ll have to make multiple visits. Darn.

Some, like Ambassadors Clubhouse, we’ve been tracking for the better part of a year (and we expect the frenzy for reservations to reflect that we weren’t alone in the sentiment). Others, like Confidant, are proven concepts that are simply moving to better digs, albeit with intriguing and tasty additions to the menu. And finally, there are more casual concepts, like Piadi La Piadineria, a behemoth in its native Italy, which opens its first U.S. location this month.

As to which one is right for your next meal out? Well, that’s one decision we can’t make for you, but we can assure you all of the options are delicious. Read on for the 11 best new restaurants to check out this February in New York City.

Ambassadors Clubhouse

• 1245 Broadway, New York, NY 10001
• NoMad

High-end Indian is having a moment in New York (as we mentioned in our 2026 food prediction story), and the trend shows no signs of letting up. Case in point: opening this month is one of the most hotly anticipated restaurants of the season, the London import Ambassadors Clubhouse. With chef Karan Mittal behind the burners, the menu pulls inspiration from all echelons of Indian society, from the royal kitchens to Punjab street stalls. While many of the London must-orders will still be on offer, keep an eye out for Manhattan exclusive dishes like Warqi lamb seekh kebabs and sky-high seafood towers. And save room for the Gur Malai toast for dessert, made with Pink Lady apples, pecans, fennel, jaggery caramel, panjiri crumble and burnt ghee ice cream.

Anbā

• 92 Ludlow St., New York, NY 10002
• Lower East Side

New York City is not lacking in sushi omakase counters, but female-fronted ones are startlingly rare. That’s why we’re particularly interested in the opening of Anbā, a 10-seat restaurant hidden behind a cocktail lounge in the Concord building on the Lower East Side. Run by chef Ambrely Ouimette and an all-female team in the kitchen, the 16-course menu is centered on classic preparations, using techniques like fermentation and aging in dishes such as crudo, nigiri and small plates like chawanmushi. Drinks-wise, Ouimette has curated the beverage program herself; it includes tightly edited selections of sake, Japanese whisky and mocktails.

Confidant

• 127 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11201
• Cobble Hill

After wowing diners at its first location in Industry City last year, Confidant is moving to more accessible digs on Atlantic Avenue, right on the border of Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill. But while its neighborhood is changing, you can still expect the same commitment to seasonal cuisine from chefs Brendan Kelley and Daniel Grossman, now with an expanded focus. Popular seafood dishes like the trout mousse and the prawn pot pie are making a reappearance, but look out for new sections of the menu like house-made pastas and share plates like a grilled, braised fennel served with burnt scallion oil.

Dahla

• 202 W. 14th St., New York, NY 10011
• West Village

The West Village gains an intriguing new Thai spot this month with the opening of Dahla, helmed by chef Pitipong Bowornneeranart. With a special focus on Thailand’s tropical garden culture, the menu here eschews classic Thai-American dishes in favor of a more modern interpretation of the cuisine. Think a Hokkaido scallop crudo served with a green chili-lime vinaigrette or a pork belly enlivened by a house-made, five-spice soy sauce. The drinks are similarly thoughtful and bring a sense of place: we are particularly excited by the Dahla martini, made with gin, crème de pêche, lychee, manzanilla sherry, hibiscus, jasmine pearls and yellow Chartreuse.

The Eighth

• 132 7th Ave., New York, NY 10011
• Chelsea

If you like your cocktails with a side of zen, may we introduce you to The Eighth? Meant to serve as an antidote to New York’s constant frenetic pace, this new restaurant from Richie Romero and interior designers Julien Legeard and Valmira Gashi aims to bring calm, ritual and intention back to your daily meals and drinks—the name The Eighth refers to a hypothetical eighth day of the week that lives outside of normal time. But what does this mean in terms of the experience? You can look forward to three nightly cocktail-and-bite “ceremonies,” which are theatrical experiences led by the bartenders, each with a rotating selection of ingredients. Look out for showy cocktails like the Ascension into Rumination, their take on a spiced old-fashioned.

Giulietta

• 200 Park Ave., New York, NY 10166
• Midtown East

Midtown and the iconic MetLife building gain a destination-worthy spot in Giulietta, which opens this month from the team behind La Pecora Bianca. With both mid-century modern and Italian coastal influences, the restaurant aims to channel a bit of old-school riviera to the Big Apple, by way of dishes like seasonal fruits served with a 25-year-old balsamic vinegar, salmon with tomato butter gremolata and chocolate mousse prepared tableside. Cocktails are similarly sun-soaked, with spritzes and frozen drinks in heavy rotation; try the spicy limoncello margarita and imagine yourself in Portofino.

Kees

• 1 Cornelia St., New York, NY 10014
• West Village

Taylor Swift isn’t the only one who has a soft spot for Cornelia Street. Cocktail aficionados have been waiting for months for the final concept of 1 Cornelia to finally open, and happily, that day is now here. Kees, developed by the legendary Jeff Bell of the equally legendary PDT, is a subterranean space designed to evoke the excess and glamour of post-Prohibition New York. Think classics like martinis, Negronis and old-fashioneds, but served both in traditional and seasonal variations. And while you can snack upstairs at Tacos 1986 before coming down, there will also be a selection of elevated bites like oysters Rockefeller or chips and dip served with trout roe.

Odo East Village

• 536 E. 5th St., New York, NY 10009
• East Village

Michelin two-star Odo gains a little sister with Odo East Village, which opened at the top of this month. But unlike the former, which is a traditional kaiseki meal, the East Village location is a little more unique in its presentation. The concept here is the marriage of kaiseki with an izakaya, which means you can order à la carte instead of sitting for a multi-course meal. Standout dishes include the grilled wagyu marinated in rice koji and white miso, or Champon-style rice noodles topped with stir-fried seafood, meats and veggies. Fun fact: every dish here is naturally gluten-free, making this an excellent spot to dine out with your wheat-abstaining friends (don’t miss the craft rice beer!).

Piadi La Piadineria

• 18 E. 23rd St., New York, NY 10010
• Gramercy

Move over, panini, there’s a hot new Italian blazing into town. Now open on 23rd Street is Piadi La Piadineria, a popular Italian sandwich chain with over 500 locations across the country, and now with its very first U.S. location in Gramercy. The shop sells piadina, a flatbread from the Emilia-Romagna region, stuffed with all manner of sweet and savory ingredients, from prosciutto to Nutella. Our personal favorite is the Laura—burrata, pistachio pesto, mortadella and lettuce—but you can also mix and match your own to make it as cheesy or meat-filled as you desire.

Sushi by Bou

• 320 E. 11th St, New York, NY 10003
• East Village

Another unique omakase opening up this month brings a rock-and-roll sensibility to the sushi meal. Sushi by Bou’s newest location on East 11th includes a karaoke room and a Wayne’s World-inspired lounge because…why not? But you can still expect the same high-quality fish and inventive preparations found at the other locations: look out for plenty of wagyu, caviar and foie gras-topped pieces, especially if you opt for the 17-course “Bou Reserve” menu. Pro-tip: there’s also an intimate, five-seat cocktail bar that will be sneaky-good for an unexpected date night.

Cayman Cookout, the famed food festival held yearly on and around Seven Mile Beach at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, might as well be the Davos of the culinary world. Over six frolicking days, lauded and Michelin-starred chefs from around the world descend onto the luxury island resort to not only participate in lively cooking demos, intimate seated dinners and massive outdoor dine-arounds, but to find communion with one another, as well. (Just stay out of their way during the heated petanque match…if you know, you know.) 

As such, there may be no better week to forecast food and drink trends for the upcoming year than this one, when it’s likely you’ll bump into everyone from Eric Ripert to Stephanie Izard while strolling the beach. In between catamaran trips to swim with sting rays and beachside demonstrations of how to cook paella, we managed to sit down with some of the festival’s luminaries to get their takes on everything from the ingredients about to make it big to the cocktail poised to finally dethrone the espresso martini (could it be?). Read on to find out what everyone from TV chef star Emeril Lagasse to legendary bartender Julie Reiner is predicting for 2026.

The ingredient poised to make a splash

“I live between Mexico City and Punta Mita, and I’m seeing a lot of sea urchin.” – Daniela Soto-Innes, co-founder of Cosme and Atla; chef at Rubra at W Punta de Mita

“I’ve been seeing a lot of galangal on menus, not just at Thai restaurants. I had a galangal pesto at an Italian restaurant the other day, and it was absolutely delicious.” – EJ Lagasse, chef at Emeril’s

“Caviar. Not on its own, but as an accoutrement on a fish or a potato dish.” – Emeril Lagasse, chef and TV personality

“Truffles. White truffles are starting to be better known by the consumer. Those very luxurious ingredients are becoming more affordable, actually, because there’s more demand and more production.” – Eric Ripert, chef and co-owner of Le Bernardin

“There’s lots of caviar on everything. I even created a martini where the garnish was a caviar bump.” – Julie Reiner, owner of Clover Club and Milady’s

“Cabbage is supposedly going to be the vegetable of the year.” – Stephanie Izard, chef and owner of seven restaurants, including Girl & the Goat

The cuisine about to be everywhere

“I think tropical Mexican will be more popular—the food from Sinaloa or Quintana Roo. It’s a lot of bananas and plantains, and much lighter cuisine overall.” – DSI

“Hmong food is really doing something right now. I had dinner at Diane’s Place in Minneapolis, and my god, it was delicious.” – EJL

“I might be biased, but I think Portuguese is on the rise, particularly their rice dishes and the salt cod. I’m seeing those a lot on menus across the United States.” – EL

“Indian. In New York City, for example, we never really had excellent Indian restaurants. Now we have some serious Indian food. And when I’ve been traveling throughout the U.S., I’m seeing a lot of Indian chefs starting to come out and modernize the cuisine.” – ER

“I’m seeing a lot more high-end Indian. It’s exciting, because I love the flavor.” – JR

“Japanese cuisine is already very celebrated, but with more people eating more protein-forward and the general health benefits in that style of eating, I feel like everyone’s talking about Japan all the time.” – SI

The city everyone wants to explore for its food

“Seoul! We have a lot of similarities on spices, and I love pickles.” – DSI

“Houston is having a moment. And I’ve been dying to get out West and try some smaller cities like Sacramento and San Diego.” – EJL

“Tokyo is high on my bucket list for this year.” – EL

“I’m very impressed with what’s happening in Seoul. They’re trendsetters with music, fashion and technology, too. It’s the first time I see Westerners really observing what’s happening there to predict the future.” – ER

“I really want to get to Chicago. There are a lot of bars on my list I’d love to hit. Outside of the U.S., Mexico City.” – JR

“There’s a lot happening in Dallas. It’s fun to see new markets like that starting to grow.” – SI

“Mexico City is continuing to have its meteoric rise. Hong Kong: the best bar in the world is there, at the moment. And Athens: the food there is really booming, and their natural wine scene is booming, as well.” – Tyler Zielinski, bartender and mixology ambassador for Wheels Up

The next big thing in restaurant design

“It’s divided into two tiers: for more budget-conscious restaurants, I’m seeing a lot of very natural designs with simple wood tables and lots of plants. And for those with a bit more of a budget, it’s very clean edges and monochromatic, when it used to be a more-is-better style.” – DSI

“I’m seeing a lot of very incredible art in restaurants right now. For a number of years, you’d go in, and there was a plant, and that was it, but now we’re seeing absolutely stunning things on the walls.” – EJL

“A lot more carpeting instead of hardwood floors. People are very sensitive to noise, so there’s a lot of noise barriers that are being created.” – EL

“What I predict for this year are smaller restaurants where people can sit at the counter. And I’m seeing a lot of open kitchens. It’s almost like a show: entertainment for the night on top of eating well.” – ER

“Bar spaces are starting to hire interior designers more. Before, there were more people doing it themselves, but we’re seeing some beautiful spaces now, especially inside hotels.” – JR

“People seem to be really enjoying the open kitchen model. I think people want to go in and really see what’s happening. They have more interest now than they used to, and it kind of makes it into theater.” – SI

What’s next for restaurant service

“I love the idea of one big dish surrounded by little dishes. There’s more community when there’s family-style eating. So hopefully we’ll move more toward that.” – DSI

“I definitely feel that tasting menus are making a comeback. Not that they went away, but stylistically, the grand tasting menu went to the wayside for a little bit. Now, the old tableside service is back, those sorts of timeless elements.” – EJL

“People are generally spending less, so tiny cocktails are a solution for that.” – TZ

“Portion size is shrinking. And partially that’s a response to what it costs, but fascinatingly, it’s a really healthy response as well.” – Andrew Zimmern, chef and TV host

The trending dining hour

“I think it’s going later. I’m definitely seeing that at Emeril’s, more 8:30 p.m. or even 9:15 p.m. reservations.” – EJL

“It’s moving earlier, in Chicago. And I love that trend for personal reasons.” – SI

What will be this year’s espresso martini?

“The carajillo: tequila, espresso, and Licor 43.” – DSI

“A sazerac. It’s a classic cocktail, but I’m seeing it pop up in a lot of places, even here in Cayman.” – EJL

“I’m seeing less martinis lately, and more creative cocktails.” – EL

“The porn star martini. People like its nostalgia and playfulness.” – TZ

“Gen Z, in a sense, is really choosing not to drink alcoholic beverages. Huge percentages of the American public are choosing not to drink; they’re more aware of the health issues, and they’re prioritizing things from a dollar standpoint.” – AZ

The cocktail ingredient that will be everywhere

“Pandan and lemon verbena.” – DSI

“Mezcal. A few years ago, mezcals were created in a slightly different way, and sometimes they were a bit harsh for customers. Now they’re much softer, but still a bit smoky.” – ER

“A lot of cacao, in spirits and in infusions. And makrut lime.” – JR

“Japanese ingredients in general. Yuzu, miso, sesame. Their pantry is so robust in a way that the Western world’s isn’t.” – TZ

The wine region to look out for

“The Loire Valley, especially their low-intervention wines.” – DSI

“People are drinking a lot more French than I’ve seen in years.” – EL

“Pacific Northwest wines. Walla Walla, in particular, has a really great community of winemakers.” – SI

A chef or bartender you have your eye on

“Isabel Coss. She used to be the pastry chef of my restaurant Cosme in New York, and now she has a place in D.C. called Pascual.” – DSI

“The obvious one is EJ Lagasse. 22 years old, two-star Michelin, and the entire world is looking at him. He started very, very young at 14. He’s the one to watch.” – ER

“In Lisbon, Margarita Sáder opened a bar called Gardenias. And I always like to support the ladies.” – JR

But if you need further narrowing down, we can help. Just like our city that’s so nice they named it twice, how about hitting double-named spots? January brings not one, but two: the nut butter haven Buddy Buddy, as well as Thai dessert shop Chim Chim. Or are all-day cafes your favorite? We have all the details on a new location of Aussie-inspired Isla & Co., as well as Aperitivo by Carta, the sister spot to beloved Carta Wine Bar. 

Of course, you can also just let your imagination run wild. Read on to discover your own personal quest and the eight best new restaurants opening in New York City this January.

Aperitivo by Carta

• 101 W. 10th St, New York, NY 10011
• West Village

The team behind Carta Wine Bar opens a sister spot late this month, one whose concept expands beyond just snacks and tipples and into a proper all-day cafe. In the mornings, Aperitivo by Carta will sling fresh pastries, sandwiches and Paloma Bakery coffee, while after 4 p.m., the space will morph into a romantic, 24-seat wine bar that also serves craft beer, spritzes and a large selection of vermouths. Full-size entrees will be on the menu as well, including hearty winter dishes like a lobster Manchego mac and cheese or braised short ribs.

Buddy Buddy

• 340 Bowery, New York, NY 10012
• NoHo

Chances are, your smoothie and coffee-obsessed pals have already been posting pictures of this European import, which soft-opened on Bowery at the end of last month, and is now churning out nut-butter goods seven days a week. And yes, you can get a plain espresso here made with house-roasted beans, but what’s the fun in that? We recommend, instead, their famed Le Buddy (a peanut butter latte), or our personal favorite, the almond butter chai made with black tea and warming spices. And don’t miss the “cheeks”: pastries that fall somewhere in between cake and cookies and are served warm with your choice of nut butter.

Charlotte Patisserie

• 78 7th Ave., New York, NY 10011
• Chelsea

Greenpoint-favorite bakery Charlotte Patisserie makes the leap across the East River into Chelsea this month, with the opening of a 7th Avenue storefront. Its beloved pączki—jelly and cream-filled Polish-style doughnuts—will also be transferring, but keep an eye out for brand-new experiences like the café gourmand, a set menu of mignardises and espresso. This will also be an excellent shop to pick up celebration cakes; we expect the opera cake (almond sponge soaked in coffee syrup with chocolate ganache and coffee buttercream) to be on many a Chelsea table this winter.

Gusi

• 432 6th Ave., New York, NY 10011
• Greenwich Village

Eastern Europe meets the Mediterranean deliciously this month with the opening of Gusi, a new concept from restaurateurs Boris Artemyev and Elena Melnikova. Named for the Slavic word for geese, the menu is inspired by a similar migratory concept: the melding of different cultures to create new (and tasty) dishes. There may be no better example of this on the menu than the borscht, which is served not only in its classic beet preparation, but also in duck, beef and bean varieties. Cocktails are similarly rooted in a sense of place and feature everything from pine cone and tomato infusions to Cornelian cherry liqueur.

Isla & Co.

• 139 Orchard St., New York, NY 10002
• Lower East Side

Does anyone do all-day cafes better than the Australians? Judging from the crowds at all of them around the city, we don’t think so. Happily, the Lower East Side receives a new entry this month with the opening of Isla & Co. inside the Merchant Hotel. Grab some classic, rib-sticking sausage rolls for lunch, or swing by for dinner to try lamb ragout with rigatoni pasta and miso jus. While we do recommend ordering the tequila-based Margot Robbie cocktail (because how could we not?), the espresso martini flight, featuring three takes on the drink, is also a delight.

Rulin

• 15 E. 13th St., New York, NY 10003
• Greenwich Village

Park Slope’s Noodle Lane gains a sibling just across the river in Union Square this month, with the late-January opening of Rulin. Run by husband-and-wife duo Lane Li and Chris Wang, the menu combines the flavors of Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine, as seen through an elevated and creative lens. Think a duck canapé made with crispy rice, pickled turnip and a soy garlic vinaigrette, or Lanzhou-style beef noodle soup enriched with braised beef shank and chili oil. And while Rulin is dinner-only for now, look out for lunch to be added to the schedule in the following months.

My first bite upon landing in Bergen, Norway, was airport pizza—most likely frozen before being reheated on one of those squeaky, trundling conveyor belt ovens. It had a preponderance of pepperoni on top, along with a few julienned slices of red pepper, and a hearty blanket of melty mozzarella. Was it the best slice I’ve ever had? No, of course not—I’m a New Yorker. But would it surprise you that eating such a slice was actually on my Norwegian food checklist?

Here’s a fun fact for your next cocktail party: Norwegians eat more frozen pizza than any other country on the planet, at a whopping 25 pounds per capita. Maybe it’s because their winters stretch almost interminably; maybe it’s because frozen pizza, objectively, is pretty delicious.

But it was a ranking I found quite shocking until I spent time this summer exploring the country’s second-largest city. Norwegian cuisine, it turns out, is pleasantly astonishing in many ways. And no place exemplifies the country’s culinary history and innovation quite like Bergen. 

Perched on the west coast of the country, Bergen has been an international trading post since the 11th century. Today, it’s most well known for being the gateway to the fjords: those narrow inlets of sea bracketed by towering cliffs (a striking consequence of glacial erosion from millions of years ago). Especially during the high summer season, visitors flock here to use the area (population: just under 300,000) as a home base, then set out each morning by car or boat to explore famed passages like Nærøyfjord or Hardangerfjord.

And while the quiet majesty of the fjords cannot be overstated, travelers do themselves a great disservice if they ignore Bergen and its surroundings from a culinary perspective. Its maritime location and history as a trading port mean that for centuries, the city has been one of the most vibrant in Europe when it comes to food—at first from an agricultural and fishing perspective, and now with its culture of cafes, restaurants and bars that prize both Scandinavian technique and ingredients as well as those from the world over.

I visited this past August and September, and my timing was intentional: ideal weather for outdoor adventures, of course, and the best time to taste the late-season bounty of many prized Norwegian crops like apples and pears. To sample all that produce, my first stop in the region was actually just outside the city, to a hotel that I’d stumbled upon on Reddit called Solstrand Hotel & Bad (that last word signifying the presence of a spa and not something more nefarious), which is close to the area’s famed apple orchards and cideries in Ulvik.

But first, we explored the hotel itself, which is also known for its culinary program. After a day spent unkinking my travel-weary muscles in the resort’s indoor and outdoor pool circuit, my family and I sat down to eat at the hotel’s grand dining room, where the prix-fixe menu included Nordic-inflected savory options like deer sirloin and herb-baked trout. But we were really here for the dessert buffet, which rivals any in Vegas in terms of size, but certainly trumps those in terms of quality and flavor. I let my nine-year-old choose for us: she came back to the table balancing swirled passion fruit mousses, chocolate cakes stuffed with coffee cream, lemon cakes topped with prized local strawberries, and panna cottas punched up with a jewel-toned array of fruit compotes. Norway may not receive the same acclaim that some of its Scandinavian neighbors do for its food, but sampling my way through desserts that first night assured me it’s not for lack of innovative (and delicious) options.

The next day, rental car keys in hand, we explored the winding roads around Hardangerfjord, known for its striking crystalline waters as much as its orchards. The area has been producing apples and cider since the late 1800s and, as you’ll hear from many a producer as you travel through the Ulvik cider route, Hardanger cider is known as the champagne of the drink. The country is so proud of it, in fact, that the beverage was the first alcoholic product in Norway to be given a protected status. My favorite came from Syse Gard, a small, hillside operation with sweeping views of the surrounding hills and valleys, and plenty of cider by the glass or in sample flights.

After loading up the car with bottles to take home and plenty of rhubarb jam, we then drove into Bergen proper. Knowing we had limited time in the city itself between trips out to the fjords, I worked with travel company Scott Dunn to craft a one-day, culinary-focused itinerary. Our morning started with a private food tour, where we hit many of the city’s most buzzing markets and stands: a tasting of award-winning Norwegian cheese at food hall Mathallen (including the oddly sweet and nationally beloved Brunost or brown cheese); extra-long reindeer hot dogs at 3-Kroeneren, topped with crispy shallots, mustard and lingonberry sauce; and meaty crab claws at Dr. Wiesener, a former bathhouse that’s been converted into one of the city’s coolest pubs.

We grabbed a quick snooze at our hotel, the minimalist Skostredet, and then dressed up for a boat ride out to Cornelius, one of the most famous seafood restaurants in all of Scandinavia (and also the basis for the restaurant in the horror flick The Menu. But only because of its remote location on a private island, not because of anything untoward that happens with its guests). Our tasting menu that night was “meteorological,” as our waitress told us, meaning that the dishes changed every day both according to the weather and what fishermen were able to catch that morning. Our unique meal included everything from trout to fried crab balls to skate, and I’m also pleased to report that every guest made it off the island in one piece.

We celebrated our last night in Bergen with a meal at Lysverket, a Michelin-starred modern Norwegian restaurant located inside the former headquarters of Bergen Lysverker, the power company. Run by chef Christopher Haatuft, the serene, modern space channels minimalist Scandinavian design, but the food is far from simple. Some of the most notable courses were pairings like razor clams with a bracing rhubarb and celery granita, or a pan-seared scallop served atop fresh noodles and a sofrito sauce. And, of course, we finished with plenty of subtly sweet, ruby-red Norwegian strawberries for dessert.

While I didn’t manage to nab another slice of frozen pizza before we left, I am proud of how much of the city I was able to explore through its food, whether that was a street stand hot dog or langoustines at a white tablecloth spot. But there is much left to discover: much cheese to eat, ciders to drink and many more pizzas to microwave. I’m already planning my next trip.

And while you might want to hit all of your holiday restaurant favorites this season, make sure to leave some nights (and days!) free to check out some new contenders. December’s arrivals offer a little bit of everything: for those of us with a sweet tooth, we’ve got one of Los Angeles’ most famed doughnut shops opening up in the Village, plus the first New York location of one of France’s most storied bakeries. Cocktail enthusiasts are also in luck: we have all the details on the new concepts from the teams behind Zero Bond and Junoon, respectively.

As to where you should head first? We’ll leave that up to you. Read on for the 10 best new restaurants and bars to check out this December in New York.

Dandelion

• 115 Christopher St., New York, NY 10014
• West Village

The West Village has no shortage of chic cocktail spots, but the mid-month arrival of Dandelion has been one of the most eagerly anticipated openings of the season. The result of a collaboration between Eytan Sugarman and Will Makris (known for Zero Bond and White Horse Tavern, among others), the space is just as sexy as some of their other ventures, especially the striking green marble bar and low, sultry lighting. And the beverage program, run by veterans of places like Employees Only and The Dead Rabbit, is similarly refined. We’re especially intrigued by the large selection of drinks featuring French spirits, including Chartreuse and absinthe. Don’t miss the food, either: with a menu created by chef Franco Sampogna of Michelin-starred Frevo, you can expect a rotating selection of small plates that will be as creative as they are tasty, like wagyu hot dogs and bluefin tuna and uni toast.

Fauchon

• 2 Bryant Park, New York, NY 10018
• Bryant Park

If a trip to Paris over the holidays isn’t in the cards, we may have found the next best thing: celebrated French bakery Fauchon opens this month, right in the heart of Bryant Park. Nestled inside the store’s trademark pink interior will be the storied brand’s signature treats—handmade pastries like croissants and macarons, plus chocolate bonbons—as well as breakfast, lunch and brunch menus crafted exclusively for this U.S. location. Also unique to this shop will be New York-specific creations, such as the NY Bisou Bisou: a fudge brownie with chocolate mousse, caramel and crunchy pretzel. Pro tip: Their packaged teas and jams make for excellent holiday gifts.

Gertie

• 602 Vanderbilt Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238
• Prospect Heights

Deli fans the city over rejoiced when Brooklyn favorite Gertie reopened this month on Vanderbilt Avenue. And Gertie 2.0 is an upgrade that’s still kept all of its original charm: come for the bagel sandwiches (like the egg and cheese with hot sauce); stay for the latke bar, where you can pick from half a dozen different creations, including the classic-ish apple butter and sour cream, or innovative takes on a tuna melt. Wash everything down with one of the housemade sodas in deli-approved flavors, like cel-ray or black cherry, or coffee creations such as a chocolate egg cream latte.

Godunk

• 332 Bowery, New York, NY 10012
• NoHo

New York City is home to a wide variety of Thai restaurants, but one segment that’s been lacking is places specializing in the country’s venerated street food cuisine. Luckily, Godunk, which opened on Bowery earlier this month, is helping to fill that hole. The restaurant, run by chef Nate Limwong (Chalong, Unglo), is also unique in that the menu doesn’t focus on one region, but on street food dishes found throughout Thailand, from Isaan to Bangkok to Surat Thani. Plates here are meant for sharing, but we recommend ordering a double of the fried rice—with sweet Chinese sausage, salted egg yolk and sliced shiitakes, it seems to be the crowd favorite on every table. Movie-themed cocktails round out this playful menu: try the Before Sunset made with pandan-infused mezcal, kaffir lime cordial, coconut water, pineapple and a dried spicy mango garnish.

Kashi

• 266 Livingston St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
• Downtown Brooklyn

Rejoice, Downtown Brooklyn concertgoers: your pre-show meal options just got a little more exciting. Opening on the 17th, Kashi is an Indian restaurant focusing on the cuisine of the north of the country, led by chef Hakikat Dhawan (formerly of the five-star Taj Palace in New Delhi and GupShup here in NYC). Menu highlights include paratwala paneer tikka (paneer layered with mint-cilantro pesto, mango and chilies) and the Varanasi specialty of malaiyo, a saffron milk foam that’s rarely found in New York. And don’t miss grabbing a light and fizzy cocktail like the Chatpata Fizzy Shikanji: tequila, hibiscus syrup, chaat masala, lemonade and seltzer.

Moonrise Bagels

• 58 W. 8th St., New York, NY 10011
• Greenwich Village

It’s not often that New Yorkers embrace bagel shops from outside of the five boroughs, but then again, Moonrise Bagels is not your average purveyor. The upstate-based mini-chain opened its first store in the city this month and, judging from the lines, the stuffed bagels have won over the purists. Handmade fresh every morning, the flavors include breakfast options like a bacon, egg and cheese, in addition to more midday-appropriate flavors like a cheese pizza (our favorite) or eggplant parm. Dipping sauces, available for a dollar each, add to the fun and come in flavors like ranch or Calabrian chili aioli. And the early bird gets the worm here: the bagels have been selling out most days before noon.

Randy’s Donuts

• 185 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10012
• Greenwich Village

If one new, circular carb isn’t enough for you, you’re in luck: Randy’s Donuts—maybe you know it from their famed, giant doughnut sign in Los Angeles?—has also touched down in New York, just a few blocks from Moonrise on Bleecker. The menu here leans towards the classics, both in cake and yeast doughnut form. While we think the standout is the “glazed raised” due to its cloudlike texture and just-sweet-enough icing, the “Long Johns” (similar to eclairs) are also worth scooping up.

Room 207

• 207 2nd Ave., New York, NY 10003
• East Village

The team behind Indian favorites Junoon and Jazba opens their first standalone bar this month, with a cocktail list as flavor-forward as its sibling restaurants. Room 207 is a speakeasy-style spot (with a hidden entrance on 13th Street) that seats only 26 guests. Mixologist Hemant Pathak’s menu is grounded in classic recipes, but enlivened by seasonal ingredients and modern techniques, like the highball made with Cardenxe Sotol de Desierto, guava, hibiscus, cilantro and lime. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can also opt for the Enigma program, in which guests choose a base spirit, and the bartender presents a “blind” omakase-style menu of three drinks. Round out the night with a selection of small bites, including oysters on the half shell, lamb skewers or brownie sundaes.

Seirēn

• 94 7th Ave., New York, NY 10011
• Chelsea

The salty, briny, fresh cuisine of Iberia lands in New York this month with the arrival of Seirēn, a new conservas bar in Chelsea. One of the only of its kind in the city, the concept draws influence from establishments in Spain and Portugal, where diners break bread over various tins of seafood. Here, offerings include everything from tuna belly in walnut pesto to Galician mussels in escabeche, plus a variety of tapas like the classic pan con tomate or the hearty crab-stuffed piquillo peppers. Cocktails are similarly Mediterranean-inspired: try the Shore Critters made with cachaca, lime, coconut milk, condensed milk, sugar and MSG.

Stars

• 139 E. 12th St., New York, NY 10003
• East Village

We may have had to wait until the end of the year for it, but one of our most anticipated bars of the fall and winter is finally opening on 12th Street this month. Stars, from the team behind the perennially packed Claud and Penny, is a petite, 12-seat wine bar with a not-so-petite wine list. With over a thousand bottles on offer from around the world, guests can find their new favorite tipple easily thanks to a custom reference book. Plus, with more than 20 options under $20, this doesn’t have to be a special occasion spot. While the food selection won’t be as robust as its sister restaurants, you can look out for snacks like deviled eggs and cured chorizo served with marinated vegetables.

Luckily, the restaurants opening up this month understood their assignment. We’ve got Chesa, a Swiss après-ski concept opening up on the rooftop of the Peninsula New York complete with private “chalets.” We’ve also got Willet’s Corner, a cozy American spot coming to the Upper West Side that seems primed to be a late-fall hideaway. And we’ve got plenty of meat, from star chef José Andrés’ Bazaar Steak to a decadent Wagyu tasting menu featuring beef from one of the most celebrated farms in Japan. So regardless of how you’d like to warm up while dining out this month, we promise we’ve got something on this list you’ll love.

And below our November openings, find some of our favorite spots that started serving guests at the end of October (and missed being included in last month’s edition). From rentable, private movie screening rooms with multi-course menus to the latest iteration of the ABC empire, we promise you won’t want to miss any of these restaurants, either.

Chesa

• 700 5th Ave., New York, NY 10019
• Midtown West

Opening on the 19th of this month and running through March 21 is a long-term pop-up on the rooftop of The Peninsula New York hotel, inspired by Swiss après-ski meals. Chesa is comprised of private, heated chalets—all kitted out with cozy sofas, blankets and chandeliers—that surround a central fire pit ringed with Adirondack chairs. Menu-wise, we’re talking rib-sticking comfort food like three types of cheese fondue (with an optional add-on of Petrossian caviar), plus a chocolate version for dessert served with strawberries, chocolate chip cookies and other goodies. Cocktails include the signature Chocotini (Nutella-infused Rémy Martin Cognac 1738, Baileys chocolate liqueur and cream) as well as an alpine spin on the Negroni. And don’t forget to grab a photo: the views of Midtown are unparalleled here.

Elcielo New York

• 1227 Broadway, New York, NY 10001
• Nomad

Starting service in early November inside the Virgin Hotels New York City is this Colombian restaurant, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Juan Manuel “Juanma” Barrientos and creative partner, the musician J Balvin. Guests can choose from one of two tasting menus, both of which focus on local ingredients as well as those important to Colombian cuisine. Look out for classics like corn arepas with butter, as well as larger, more inventive composed plates, such as venison served with morels and fermented yucca. And for something a little more casual, you can also check out El Bistró Tropical at Elcielo, a French-Colombian spot also inside the hotel, which serves an à la carte menu.

Seed Library

• 51 E. 30th St., New York, NY 10016
• Midtown South

The world’s most awarded bartender, Ryan Chetiyawardana (more commonly known as Mr Lyan), finally opens his first permanent outpost in New York this month with Seed Library, located inside the Hotel Park Ave. The cocktail menu consists of 17 original creations, although most have their roots in classic preparations. Look out for the C.R.E.A.M. Margarita (Lalo tequila, mezcal, passionfruit, cream ATOM, pickled chili and lime) for something smoky and bright, or for a more herbal flavor, grab a Coriander Seed Gimlet made with Beefeater Gin, coriander seed cordial and white grape. Seed Library’s elevated bar snacks are enough for dinner, especially the Lyan burger served with English cheddar and bacon, or the loaded tots topped with spicy herb aioli, pancetta and pecorino sardo.

Willet’s Corner

• 420 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10024
• Upper West Side

Ken Halberg and the Harding’s team move uptown with the opening of sister spot Willet’s Corner this month. And the menu seems primed to make it just as much a neighborhood staple as its sibling. Share plates make up the bulk of the dishes here, like fig toast with whipped ricotta and rosemary honey, or grilled tuna tacos sweetened with coconut milk and charred pineapple salsa. Cocktails lean toward the classic, though with fun twists: we predict the Dirty Chai Espresso Martini (vodka, chai, coffee liqueur, fresh espresso and chocolate bitters) will be a bestseller.

ABC Kitchens

• 55 Water St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
• Dumbo

One of Union Square’s most beloved concepts has finally crossed the East River; abc kitchens opened on Dumbo’s historic waterfront on October 25. Drawing inspiration from the existing ABC restaurants (ABC Kitchen, AbcV and ABC Cocina), the newest outpost has a menu that synthesizes all three, and with many of their most famed dishes included. We’re happy to see the beloved crab toast with dill and lemon aioli made the cut, as well as the unparalleled caramel popcorn sundae, composed of salted caramel ice cream, candied peanuts, popcorn whipped cream and hot fudge. And as should be no surprise with such a green market-driven menu, cocktails here run toward the vegetal or fruity: look out for the crisp Cucumber Martini made with Hendrick’s gin, cucumber and mint.

Arvine

• 19 Greenwich Ave., New York, NY 10014
• West Village

Starting service on the 24th of last month was Arvine, a modern American spot on the always-buzzing Greenwich Avenue. A partnership between Adrien Falcon (formerly of Keith McNally’s restaurants) and Joe Anthony (Gabriel Kreuther, Daniel, Union Square Café), the seasonally driven menu here also incorporates the flavors of Korean and Italian cuisine, among others. We’re especially fond of innovative spice pairings like the bison tartare made with Calabrian chile gochujang, and served with einkorn focaccia, or the diver scallops baked in kombu, which are then drizzled with a champagne sauce. And don’t miss the wine list: it’s stocked with many hard-to-find European bottles or makers not seen widely elsewhere.

Bazaar Meat

• 35 W. 28th St. Second Floor, New York, NY 10001
• Nomad

Chef José Andrés must have more hours in the day than we do, because otherwise, we don’t understand how he gets it all done. His latest project, which opened on October 21, is Bazaar Meat, located inside The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad. As you might be able to tell from the name, the restaurant’s menu is focused on beef, especially prized and large-cut portions—there is plenty of American Wagyu, Japanese Wagyu and Kobe on offer here. The best way to sample the signature dishes of the restaurant, however, is to order José’s Ultimate Tasting Menu, a five-course experience that includes everything from his famed liquid olives to cotton candy foie gras.

Metro Cinema

• 131 8th Ave., New York, NY 10011
• Chelsea

Movie theaters in New York have leveled up significantly in the last decade or so, but it’s hard to put Metro Cinema into even the same category. The latest concept from the founder of Alamo Drafthouse, this Chelsea theater that opened on October 29 allows guests to book an entire room for their film-watching experience, not just their seat. And yes, we know what you’re thinking: isn’t this article a guide to restaurants? Well, yes, and any reservation for a movie booking here also includes a multi-course, family-style meal, as well as time after in the space to enjoy cocktails or simply chat about the film. We love that many current movies even have their own themed menu—Wicked’s includes emerald-green prawns and pink-hued beet hummus.

Togyushi

• 37 W. 37th St., New York, NY 10018
• Midtown South

New Yorkers are well familiar with the concept of omakase, but a new restaurant’s version isn’t serving nigiri and hand rolls. Rather, Togyushi, which opened on October 25, specializes in Japanese Wagyu, specifically that of the country’s award-winning Zao Wagyu farm. And, in fact, the restaurant is the only location outside of Japan that’s serving the revered beef, all under the guidance of Wagyu master chef Ken Yamasaki (who is one of only 11 in the world). The current tasting menu includes many iterations of the protein, including raw in a sashimi roll, inside a soup, and served over rice. But diners can also opt for cocktails and smaller bites at Wagyu Bistro Bar, the restaurant’s lounge space, which spins an excellent mix of Japanese vinyl, too.

As the wealthiest city in the United States, it’s little surprise that New York City’s philanthropic scene is one of the most robust in the nation. On any given weekday night, you can find fundraisers for everything from the ballet to the homelessness crisis, on scales both intimate and gala-large. But the sheer number of charity events poses problems for both those trying to raise money and those with the money to spend. For the former, how do you make your evening unique in a sea of so-called rubber chicken dinners? And for the latter, how do you choose which event feels like the best investment of your time and funds?

But New York’s largest hunger relief organization, Food Bank For New York City, seems to have cracked the code on both fronts. Its newest dinner series, Eat For Good, is not only raising significant funds to help feed some of the estimated 1.4 million hungry New Yorkers, but attracting a crowd that doesn’t typically hit the charity circuit, as well. So what sets these events apart from others within the category? Aside from a level of intimacy and community not found in other fundraising dinners, it’s damn good food, as well.

Eat For Good, which launched just last year, pairs a high-profile New York-based chef with an equally renowned pal from somewhere else in the nation. The inaugural year included Hillary Sterling (Ci Siamo) with pasta legend Nancy Silverton of Mozza Restaurant Group, among other duos, and all-in raised enough funds to cover over 1.2 million meals for food-insecure New Yorkers. 2025’s season kicked off with two more pasta masters—Evan Funke (Felix in L.A.) and Missy Robbins (Lilia, Misi)—as well as Miami’s Nando Chang of Itamae AO cooking alongside Stefano Secchi of Massara and Rezdôra. The year will close out with one last dinner on November 5, which is perhaps the most anticipated of the entire year: Savannah’s James Beard Award-winner Mashama Bailey (The Grey) and Kwame Onwuachi of Tatiana, a Beard-winner himself.

And while the incredible star power in the kitchen may be the biggest draw to the Eat For Good events, there are, of course, other chef-driven charity dinners in New York. What’s made this series so successful, even in its first two years, are a few tweaks to the typical model. First is the size: these dinners aren’t held in cavernous hotel ballrooms, but in the more intimate surrounds of restaurants. Here, diners have the opportunity to not only meet the chefs, but make friends with other guests. “It sounds so corny to say it this way, but we wanted to set a table where people could actually have a conversation,” Matt Honeycutt, chief development officer of Food Bank For New York City, tells Observer. “If you’re in a room of 500 people for a big gala event, you’re not talking to anybody. You’re not learning anything. You don’t remember anything. But if you can put them at a smaller table and they can make connections, maybe it leads to something later.”

Earlier this fall, I was lucky enough to attend the Chang-Secchi dinner, held at Massara, and one of my favorite parts of the evening was the cocktail hour, where strangers became friends over specialty Negronis and passed canapés that included memorable bites like savory cannoli made with brown butter, corn and black truffle.

And that, of course, leads us to a discussion of the food: these collaborative, multi-course meals are truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience because these chefs are almost never in the same kitchen. At my dinner, highlights included a crudo plate with five different preparations, as well as a unique pasta fredda with Peruvian lobster sauce and uni—a dish that combined the expertise of both chefs beautifully and very deliciously. And diners can expect a similarly explosive melding of talents next month when chefs Bailey and Onwuachi combine forces. “Chef Mashama is a friend,” says Onwuachi. “And this will be the first time we are truly collaborating on a menu. I don’t want to give anything away, but it’s gonna be fire.” And for Bailey, both cooking with Onwuachi and volunteering with the Food Bank has been a long time coming. “I began my cooking career in NYC, and I remember seeing the Food Bank trucks around the city,” she tells Observer. “Even back then, I wanted to know what they did and how restaurants could get involved and support their efforts.”

While a night out at an Eat For Good dinner is certainly a glamorous evening, the reason for the event is because so many New Yorkers can’t even afford a dinner at home. And for the chefs involved, helping to alleviate this hunger is just as important as the chance to cook with revered colleagues. “Food insecurity is something that I dealt with as a kid, so I am happy to give my time for something I know a lot of people suffer with in silence,” says Onwuachi. “It’s not always obvious: people don’t want you to know they can’t afford to eat, so they may not be asking for the help they need. Supporting organizations like Food Bank for NYC is key to the issue because they bring awareness and feed the hungry.”

The November dinner may be the last on the calendar for 2025, but Honeycutt and the Food Bank have big plans for next year already. “We joked the other day it was time to get a bigger boat,” he says with a laugh. “But we’re looking to add a little bit of a larger event in the fall of next year, so we can broaden the number of folks that can come in. That means probably having more than two chefs for that one.” And there are a myriad of ways volunteers can support the Food Bank even apart from the dinners, from volunteering at their Bronx warehouse to helping out at pop-up pantries across all five boroughs.

All of these efforts also help to form community because, as Bailey told me, food is a connector. “Any event that combines breaking bread together at a table is important because you can share ideas and grow as individuals,” she says. “An event like Eat For Good where people can come, donate, share and grow is how change happens. This event can demonstrate change.”

Luckily, the new restaurants opening up right now understood the assignment, which means you’ve got a little bit of everything to choose from. We’ve got the lowdown on all of them, of course, from a laidback, all-day cafe in perennially hip Nolita to an 18-course (yes, 18) Japanese tasting menu from the first New York location of a famed sushi counter. This month also appears to be one for reinvention, judging from the long-anticipated reopening of Babbo to a brand-new menu concept at Yoshoku inside the also recently reopened Waldorf Astoria New York.

As always, we’ve already done the hard work of researching and eating at as many of the hottest openings as we can. And now, we pass the knowledge onto you. Below, find the 11 best new restaurants opening in New York this October.

Babbo

• 110 Waverly Pl., New York, NY 10011
• Greenwich Village

Formerly one of New York’s most revered temples to pasta, Babbo fell into some (pun intended) hot water due to the activities of its former owner, who shall remain nameless. But the Greenwich Village institution makes a delicious comeback this month, now with acclaimed pasta whisperer Mark Ladner behind the burners. Look out for a menu featuring reinvented classics from the former iteration, like goat cheese tortelloni or beef cheek ravioli, as well as a minestrone that bubbles on the stove for weeks before being served.

Cove

• ​285 W. Houston St., New York, NY 10014
• Hudson Square

While chef Flynn McGarry may not count as a total wunderkind any longer—he opened his first restaurant, Gem, at only 19—at 26, his career is still wildly impressive. The latest project for the young chef is Cove, a California-inflected fine dining spot on West Houston. The seasonal menu will have deep roots in sustainability: McGarry even constructed a garden on Long Island to service the restaurant with vegetables, herbs and flowers. On the inaugural fall iteration, look out for entrees like lobster served with chanterelles, new potatoes and chamomile, or grilled eggplant topped with truffle, wild rice and dashi.

Cuna

• 25 Cooper Sq., New York, NY 10003
• East Village

The Standard, East Village gets a restaurant glow-up this month with the opening of Cuna, a Mérida and Mexico City-inspired spot from chef Maycoll Calderón (Acre in Cabo, Huset in Mexico City). And while the cuisine here is rooted in traditional Mexican recipes, New York—and its green markets—certainly play a supporting role. The grilled catch of the day, for instance, pairs local seafood with ginger-coconut rice, mango, serrano chili and a seasonally-shifting herb oil. And for something a little more casual, swing by Cuna Bar next door, which boasts its own late-night snack menu with nibbles like short rib nachos and mini elote skewers.

Danny’s

• 46 W 22nd St., New York, NY 10010
• Flatiron

Old-school is cool again with the opening of Danny’s, an American bistro from notable TV host and author Dan Abrams. Inspired by the late 19th and early 20th century restaurants of New York, the menu here leans towards refined classics, but as imagined by chef Ed Tinoco (formerly of The Alinea Group). We recommend starting with the ham and cheese hot pockets, which are cheffed-up with 16-month aged ham and a four cheese blend, followed by the poultry one-two punch of dry-aged Peking duck and the rosemary-buttermilk fried chicken served alongside maple butter biscuits. The wine list here is also of note, featuring an entirely all-American lineup with over 110 standard selections and 50 reserve bottles.

Fasano Bar

• 60 E. 49th St., New York, NY 10017
• Midtown East

It’s a common text message refrain: “Anywhere actually good to grab a drink in Midtown?” Well, friends, now we have an answer for you: Fasano Bar has just debuted on East 49th Street. Perfect for both after-work drinks or pre-theater cocktails, the menu here also offers plenty of snacking options, from late-afternoon stuzzichini plates like mozzarella in carrozza, to larger Milanese dishes like risotto with lobster and saffron. As for what to drink: we’re big fans of both of the bar’s signature Negronis, or for a splurge, one of their reserve cocktails, like the Vesper Fasano made with Belvedere 10 vodka, rye, Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret and Lillet Rosé.

Hwaro

• 776 8th Ave., 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10036
• Theater District

Korean food has been experiencing an incredible amount of growth in New York over the last few years, and luckily, shows no sign of stopping. One of the most anticipated openings this month is Hwaro, which is set to start serving meals mid-month inside the Theater District’s modern American steakhouse, Gui. The 13-course tasting menu from chef Sungchul Shim (Kochi, Mari) highlights many traditional Korean cooking styles, like charcoal grilling and fermentation, but the flavors range from countries all over East Asia. Standout entrees on the fall menu include foie gras and duck pastrami, served with fermented black rice and a mushroom tart drizzled with a rich porcini mornay sauce.

Shifka

• 116 W. Houston St., New York, NY 10012
• Noho

An unspoken rule of New York City eating: we can never have enough handheld food options. And so we are delighted that the team behind Sami & Susu is opening Shifka, which specializes in fluffy pita sandwiches (along with a deep bench of dips, bowls and soft serve). All the classic combos will be on offer here, from a lamb kebab to a sabich served with eggplant and a soft-cooked egg, as well as more innovative takes like a cauliflower shawarma. Leave room for the soft serve, of course, which comes in the intriguing flavors of tahini-vanilla and amba-white chocolate.

Sushi Aozora

• 15 E. 15th St., New York, NY 10003
• Union Square

Sushi snobs, take note: Union Square’s newest omakase comes with one hell of a pedigree. Sushi Aozora is the latest project from the team behind lauded Fifteen East, and is led by chef Ben Chan, formerly of other sushi temples Sushi Ishikawa and Sushi Seki. The seasonally changing menu will feature ingredients sourced from all over the globe—from Japan’s Toyosu Market to the Greenmarket a stone’s throw away—and include dishes like Hokkaido hairy crab topped with uni and shiso blossoms or grilled Spanish mackerel with green soy sauce. The beverage program is also worth exploring for its curated selection of rare and small-batch labels of sake, Japanese beer and wine.

Sushidokoro Mekumi

• 70 Charlton St., New York, NY 10014
• Hudson Square

One of the most intimate restaurants to open all season is surely Sushidokoro Mekumi: an eight-seat downtown omakase counter from chef Hajime Kumabe. The space is an offshoot of Mekumi’s original location in Japan, which specializes in the fish of the Ishikawa region and is led by Takayoshi Yamaguchi. In New York, this menu will take the form of a whopping 18-course meal which includes appetizers, nigiri and plenty of seasonal surprises. And play close attention to the utensils and tableware: they’re handmade by Ishikawa artisans and chosen specifically for their harmony with each course.

Txula Steak

• 515 W. 30th St., New York, NY 10001
• Hudson Yards

If we say there’s a new José Andrés restaurant opening up, we can probably leave it at that and you’ll make a reservation, regardless. But Txula Steak, a Basque-style steakhouse that replaces Leña inside Mercado Little Spain, would be worth checking out even without the famed chef’s name attached. Inspired by traditional northern Spanish asadores, the menu here celebrates protein in all its forms, from Ibérico pork to Spanish lamb (the first time the meat will be available in the U.S.), as well as the hearty Txuleburger made with dry-aged ribeye. But please save room for the cheesecake cart, where, naturally, the Basque version is available, as well as plenty of cheeses and Spanish honey.

Yoshoku

• 301 Park Ave., New York, NY 10022
• Midtown East

The reopening of the Waldorf Astoria New York was probably the biggest hotel news the city has had in the last decade. But the unveilings didn’t end once it flung open its doors: officially opening at the end of this month after a soft launch is Yoshoku. Executive chef Ry Nitzkowski’s new kaiseki-inspired menu is all about seasonality and precision: think uni toast with caviar and yuzu on shokupan bread or grilled madai served with corn, ginger and charred scallion relish.

So what’s the hardest part about dining out in September? Choosing where to eat. The city practically explodes with openings after the holiday weekend, and it can often be tricky to figure out what’s good and what merely looks good on Instagram or TikTok. Luckily, we’ve been hitting up friends and family meals and soft openings to bring you the much-needed intel. Whether you’re looking for innovative new Thai (we’ve got two to recommend!) or sister restaurants to some of New York’s most in-demand downtown spots, we’ve got a table on this list for nearly every type of diner—even the ones who can’t eat gluten, dairy and nuts. Read on for the 13 best restaurants opening in New York this September.

Barbuto Brooklyn

• 60 Furman St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
• Dumbo

The West Village’s favorite Italian hangout has hopped the East River this month with the arrival of sister spot Barbuto Brooklyn inside 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. Featuring the same California-Italian mashup cuisine as the original (yes, the JW chicken with salsa verde is still on the menu), chef Jonathan Waxman will also add a number of new seasonal dishes to this location when it opens on September 17. Make sure to check out Barbuto Garden while the weather is still nice: a romantic outdoor space with light bites and 16 rotating beers on tap.

Bub’s Bakery

• 325 Lafayette St., New York, New York 10012
• Noho

The elevator pitch for this new downtown bakery might not sound super appealing: all the goods are free from the top nine allergens, including dairy, gluten and eggs. But Bub’s Bakery also has a powerhouse team behind it: 55 Hospitality’s Jenn Saesue and Chat Suansilphong (Fish Cheeks, Bangkok Supper Club), and James Beard-nominated baker Melissa Weller (Per Se, Sadelle’s). And if anyone can make an “egg and cheese” biscuit without using either actual ingredient, it’s this team. When it opens in late September, look out for a wide selection of sweet and savory pastries (we’re especially excited about the kouign amanns), as well as a coffee program.

Koju

• 252 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn, NY 11217
• Boerum Hill

LDV Hospitality (Scarpetta, American Cut) branches out into Japanese cuisine with the opening of Koju, a modern sushi concept inside Ace Hotel Brooklyn. The menu, presided over by executive chef Kevin Garrison (Sushi Zo Hanare), is a 13-course prix-fixe, including nigiri, hand rolls and seasonal dishes. This fall, you can expect delicacies like Hokkaido scallops and hagatsuo (striped bonito), as well as add-ons like a triple-toro roll featuring akami, chutoro and otoro. Cocktail-wise, you’re looking at a tight, five-drink menu, all of which blend Japanese ingredients with Western recipes, like a Japanese Yuzu highball. There’s also plenty of sake on offer, including many local Brooklyn makers.

Limusina

• 441 Ninth Ave., New York, NY 10001
• Penn District

If there’s one attribute that all Quality Branded restaurants share (Don Angie, Twin Tails, Zou Zou’s), it’s that they’re a lot of fun. Which is why the arrival of their first Mexican concept, Limusina, has been one of our most anticipated openings of the month. Housed in a former parking garage on the west side, the 215-seat, tri-level spot features the same sort of playful dishes for which its sister properties have become known: think lobster al pastor with achiote-chili butter and avocado crema, or solteros, individually topped nachos with ingredients like steak barbacoa. And of course, there is a deep bench of margaritas here, including the smoky Mezcalero and the Flaca (their version of a skinny marg).

Motek

• 928 Broadway, New York, NY 10010
• Nomad

One of Miami’s most beloved Mediterranean concepts is now here to bring a little sunshine up north. Motek has a cult following already, thanks to its fluffy fresh-baked pitas, four varieties of housemade hummus and mezze dishes. The New York menu also features larger plates like a wagyu burger with pomegranate-mint aioli, hanger steak with peppercorn sauce and a whole branzino. The all-day restaurant is also launching with brunch: don’t miss the malawach Yemenite pancake served with lemon tahini, grated tomato and eggs.

Muku

• 412 Greenwich St., New York, NY, 10013
• Tribeca

Kuma Hospitality Group, which is known for elegant spots like L’abeille and L’abeille à Côté, launches an equally refined concept this month with the opening of Muku, a kaiseki spot. The 10-12 course menu, created by chef Manabu Asanuma, is centered around goho, or the five classical techniques of Japanese cooking: raw, grilled, simmered, steamed and fried. While the menu will change seasonally, look out for dishes this fall to include foie gras chawanmushi, wagyu shabu shabu and grilled eel with maitake rice.

Narkara

• 5 E 17th St., New York, NY 10003
• Union Square

While we’re not lacking for Thai spots in the city, Northern and Northeastern Thai cuisine is a little tougher to seek out. Our search has been made easier with the opening of Narkara, the newest addition to the Kinnaree Hospitality group (Thep Thai, Aqua Boil). Featuring the food of the Mekong Delta region, dishes include small plates like tuna ceviche cured in lime and fish sauce, and entrees like grilled pork belly in banana leaf and New York strip served with grilled sticky rice waffles, cured egg and nam jim jaew, a tamarind chili dip. We recommend washing it all down with a Salted Plum Sour, a vodka and rum-based drink with umeshu, guava juice, plum syrup and egg white.

Palladino’s Steak and Seafood

• 89 E 42nd St., New York, NY 10017
• Midtown East

Even the most jaded of New Yorkers will probably admit that the Main Concourse in Grand Central Station is still pretty cool. And now, you can gawk at the ceiling murals without being too obvious, thanks to the opening of Palladino’s Steak and Seafood inside the terminal. The space, designed by Rockwell Group, also boasts an all-season outdoor patio, making this steakhouse perhaps the best new spot for people watching in all of Manhattan. As for the food: under the direction of chef Sam Hazen and restaurateur Joseph Palladino, you can expect classics like a bone-in 26-ounce chateaubriand, herb-crusted prime rib, as well as a robust Japanese section that includes cuts of wagyu and a selection of sushi.

Unglo

• 35 W 64th St., New York, NY 10023
• Lincoln Square

Another unique Thai concept arrives in New York this month with the opening of Unglo, Manhattan’s first restaurant focused on Thai barbecue. Brought to you by the team behind popular spots Chalong and Soothr, the interactive meal here includes cuts of dry-aged beef, wagyu and abalone that guests can cook over a grilltop or boil in shabu broth. Unglo is also notable for its cheeky cocktail program, which is named The Butcher’s Collection. We’re fans of the Bloody Blade, made with tequila, vermouth, watermelon, basil, lime, balsamic jalapeño and a fish powder rim.

Saga

• 70 Pine St., 63rd Floor, New York, NY 10005
• Financial District

After the tragic passing of chef James Kent in 2024, his sky-high and critically acclaimed restaurant Saga was left with an uncertain future. But luckily, the chef leading the kitchen into its next chapter is an extremely qualified one. Charlie Mitchell, the first Black chef to earn a Michelin star in New York City and a 2024 James Beard Award winner, took over the burners on September 1. While Saga’s multi-course menu will remain modern, Mitchell will interpret it through his own lens with dishes like a seared Hokkaido scallop in consommé with sweet potato. And, in a nod to the previous chef’s mentorship, the meal will finish with Moroccan tea service and a maamoul cookie, a carryover from Kent’s own menu.

SliceHaus

• 30 Carmine St., New York, NY 10014
• West Village

We New Yorkers are spoiled for choice when it comes to slice shops, which means it takes a special opening to pique our interest. But SliceHaus has the pedigree that pizza-hounds seek out: the pies are crafted by pizzaiolo Agostino Cangiano (formerly of the perennially packed L’Industrie). The slices and Italian sandwiches here are light and crispy, partially thanks to a dough that’s enlivened by olive oil flown in weekly from Italy. Start with the classics like a Margherita or four cheese, but save room for the square slices, whose toppings are a little more unusual: a potato and bacon, or a ham and corn.

Time Out Market New York Union Square

• 124 E. 14th St., New York, NY 10003
• Union Square

There are food halls, and then there is Time Out Market. New York’s second location opens across the river from its sister in Dumbo, right in the heart of Union Square on 14th Street. This new iteration has a smaller footprint than the original, but the tightly curated list of concepts is just as tasty. We’re most excited for chef Kwame Onwuachi’s Patty Palace, which will serve the beloved Jamaican snack; Unapologetic Food’s (Adda, Semma, Dhamaka) kebab stand Kebabwala and the Michelin-approved tacos from Taqueria El Chato. There will also be plenty here to satisfy your sweet tooth, including Sunday Morning’s cinnamon rolls and shortbread from cult-favorite Shortbread Society.

But you know all this. Now what you need is the lowdown on where to eat in between all the festivals, meetings and general chaos of the fall season. Luckily for you, we’ve been tracking the progress of the city’s hottest fall openings since the beginning of the summer. From the arrival of the sister restaurant of the impossible-to-book Corner Store, to the long-anticipated landing of one of London’s most beloved Indian restaurant groups, to the flashy entrance of a legendary Las Vegas steakhouse, we’ve got all the intel on the 10 biggest openings in New York this fall. Start planning your reservation tactics now.

Ambassadors Clubhouse

• 1245 Broadway, New York, NY 10004
• Nomad
• Anticipated opening: October

Chances are, if you have a food-obsessed friend who’s making a trip to London, they have at least one JKS Restaurants spot on their must-see list. But come October, you won’t need to cross the pond to try the group’s legendary cuisine: Ambassadors Clubhouse is opening in Nomad. With a menu inspired by the Punjab region (an area that spans both India and Pakistan), you can expect many of the original location’s dishes to appear in New York, like a chili-cheese pakode served with tamatar chutney, and barbecue-butter chicken chops.

Barbuto Brooklyn

• 60 Furman St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
• Dumbo
• Anticipated opening: September

Honestly, you could open a Barbuto in every neighborhood of New York and each one would still probably be packed every night. But for now, we’ll celebrate the arrival of Barbuto Brooklyn, which arrives this month inside 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. Chef Jonathan Waxman’s Italian-inflected, farm-to-table menu will feature many of the original West Village location’s greatest hits, plus new dishes inspired by the Dumbo neighborhood. And before the weather turns, make sure to swing by Barbuto Garden, the hotel’s outdoor experience with small bites, 16 beers on tap and more than 40 bottled and canned suds.

Babbo

• 110 Waverly Pl., New York, NY 10011
• Greenwich Village
• Anticipated opening: October

One of New York’s most revered temples to pasta is returning, but this time, thankfully, with new ownership (if you don’t know, consider yourself lucky). Babbo 2.0 will keep what worked last time—meticulously constructed pastas like goat cheese tortelloni and beef cheek ravioli—while bringing in a new team poised to usher the Italian spot into a new chapter. And technically, it’s a return for chef Mark Ladner, who opened Babbo and sister restaurant Lupa before leading the kitchen at the venerated Del Posto, which shuttered in 2021.

The Golden Steer

• 1 5th Ave., New York, NY 10003
• Greenwich Village
• Anticipated opening: November

It’s not uncommon for New York restaurants to wind up on the Strip, but it’s a little less likely for Las Vegas concepts to travel eastward. But coming late this fall is one of Sin City’s most famous steakhouses—one that gained a following back in the day by serving the Rat Pack and Elvis. The Golden Steer’s new location may be less flashy than its digs out West (it’s moving into 1 Fifth Avenue in the Village), but you can expect the same honed tableside service and prime steaks as the original.

Saga

• 70 Pine St., 63rd Floor, New York, NY 10005
• Financial District
• Anticipated opening: September

After the sudden death of chef James Kent in the summer of 2024, the fate of his restaurant, the Michelin-starred Saga, was unclear. But as of this month, the sky-high spot inside 70 Pine has found a worthy successor with chef Charlie Mitchell. The first Black chef to earn a Michelin star in New York City and the 2024 James Beard winner for Best Chef: New York, Mitchell’s new menu maintains the emphasis on modern fine dining, while injecting plenty of his own personality and expertise. Look out for dishes like a seared Hokkaido scallop served in consommé and with sweet potato, or the caviar and brown butter crémeux served with brioche.