The list is in! New York City is on top of the Michelin Star game once again for the 2019 ranking.
Having a Michelin Star is one of the highest honors and greatest goals for restaurants all over the world. This year, New York City is showing off its culture of culinary excellence once again by racking up 75 restaurants who have earned at least one Michelin Star. Of those 75, 14 have earned two stars and 5 have won the maximum of three Michelin Stars.
While some of the meals at the higher end spots could cost almost an entire months rent (depending on where you live of course), there are some more affordable options out there for us New Yorkers on a tighter budget. Sushi and Japanese cuisine rules the list for 2019 so if you’re into raw fish, this is your year. Our suggestion is to check out the lunch menus at most of these places, you just might find a deal that’s worth the splurge! So, go ahead and put a few of these places on your NYC restaurant bucket list. Bon appetit!
***New York restaurants with three Michelin Stars***
Eleven Madison Park is located right across from Madison Square Park and offers an eight to ten course menu in the main dining room. However they also offer an abbreviated version of the tasting menu at the bar.
2. Masa
Masa is a Japanese sushi experience. The price for dinner is $595 per person, not including beverages and tax and the meal lasts about two hours. According to their website, gratuities are not expected or accepted at Masa because according to Japanese custom, exceptional hospitality is an integral part of the dining experience and is provided to every guest.
3. Per Se
Per Se is a French inspired three star Michelin restaurant open daily. They offer two tasting menus: a nine-course chef’s tasting menu, and a nine-course vegetable tasting menu. No single ingredient is ever repeated throughout the meal.
4. Le Bernardin
Le Bernardin opened in New York in 1986 and has been ranked by Michelin since 2005. For those of you looking to experience a Michelin stared restaurant but are scared by the price tag, Le Bernardin offers a 3 course Prix Fixe lunch menu for $90 in addition to their 4 course dinner coming in at $160. If you’re really looking for something fancy you can upgrade to the Chef’s Tasting menu.
5. The Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare
The menu at The Chef’s Table is inspired by “Japanese cuisine using a French technique”. The whole tasting takes about two and a half hours and focused on seafood and shellfish. The experience can be yours for a whopping $384.36 per head, before tax and tip.
**New York restaurants with two Michelin Stars**
6. Jean-Georges
With a name like Jean-Georges, it’s easy to assume this place oozes French culinary goodness. The New York City location at Central Park West opened in 1997. The dishes here blend French, American and Asian influences using local ingredients. The three course lunch menu is their recommendation for the highest value for the lowest price. You can even check out some of their very own seasonal recipes on their website and try your hand at whipping up a 5 star dish on your own at home.
L’Atelier is located in the Meatpacking District just below the High Line. Head Chef Joël Robuchon currently holds 32 Michelin Stars, making him the chef with the most stars in the world. He operates restaurants across the globe and the New York City location is a testament to his success. This year the seasonal four course menu comes in at $155 which, given the status of the locale, isn’t too expensive. However, they also have a large selection of small tasting plates and a la carte options which could be a little more budget friendly, depending on how you look at it.
Uchū Sushi Bar is a 10 seat sushi counter in the Lower East Side. Head Chef Ichimura presents an incomparable tasting menu of high quality fish. They also sport a Japanese Whisky Bar at a separate 8 seat counter.
9. Marea
Marea is one of the only Italian restaurants to make the NYC Michelin list this year- which is surprising given the amount of high quality Italian places in New York. The culinary focus at Marea is on seafood and homemade pastas. In fact,Chef Michael White and his team claim that their menu that reads like a “map of the sea.” It includes oysters, antipasti, and whole fish preparations among other delicacies.
10. Blanca
Blanca serves tasting menus Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 6 pm and 9 pm, and Saturday at 5 pm and 8 pm. At Blanca you can expect to find a dinner prix fixe at $198. Reservations are only available online 30 days before the date of the reservation so make sure you take the time to join the wait list if you want to get a table.
11. Atera
At Atera, you’ll need a full 2½ hours for your seasonal and evolving tasting menu experience. The tasting menu comes in at $275 and reservations are only available online 6 weeks before the date of the reservation.
12. Aska
Scandinavian minimalism meets cuisine at this chic two star Michelin restaurant. With an emphasis on ingredients from the Northeastern U.S. and influences from Scandinavia, Aska offers a distinctive dining experience to only ten tables each night through a procession of courses prepared from an open kitchen.
13. Daniel
Restaurant Daniel opened in 1993 at the site of the former Mayfair Hotel on Park Avenue. The main dining room can seat up to 150 guests and the four-course prix-fixe dinner menu which is based on traditional French cuisine comes in at $158 with an additional wine pairing available for $82 or $142.
14. Momofuku Ko
The main dining room consists of a tasting menu based on market availability. The lunch menu is served Friday through Sunday and the dinner menu is served Tuesday through Saturday. Both come in at $255 and last around 2.5 hours.
15. Gabriel Kreuther
The experience at Gabriel Kreuther is centered around one of three options: a four-course prix-fixe menu, a seven course tasting menu or nine-course “carte blanche” chef’s tasting. The Main Dining Room is open for both lunch and dinner services Monday through Friday, as well as dinner service on Saturday evenings.
16. The Modern
The Modern is a contemporary kitchen located right above the MoMa’s Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden. The menus are always seasonal and they offer both lunch and dinner options.
17. Aquavit
Aquavit opened its doors in 1987 and offers seasonal Nordic cuisine in an incomparable restaurant setting, located between Park and Madison Avenues in Midtown.
18. Jungsik
Jungsik takes a contemporary approach to traditional Korean cuisine. With locations in both Seoul and New York City, this two star Michelin restaurant boasts seasonal offerings, signature tastings and dessert tastings. The signature tasting menu requires full table participation and you can also choose between a standard or premium wine pairing to accompany your meal.
Whether you prefer exquisite sushi for lunch or dinner, this restaurant has Omakase menu options for both, ranging from $100 to $150 for a lunch option or $300 to $400 for dinner (with the price depending on the number of courses).
*New York restaurants with one Michelin Star*
20. Sushi Inoue, Japanese omasake restaurant with traditional Asian decor.
21. Oxomoco, traditional Mexican cuisine in Brooklyn.
22. Gunter Seeger NY, choose between a four or ten course tasting menu at this restaurant in the West Village.
23. Le Grill de Joël Robuchon, the more casual counterpart to the L’Atelier.
24. Nix, vegetarian restaurant focusing on seasonal produce in Greenwich Village.
25. Cafe Boulud, serves French cuisine in an upscale locale on the Upper East Side.
26. L’Appart, this exclusive menu is prepared with the customers tastes in mind, offering the personal experience of an intimate dinner party at a chef’s own apartment.
27. Bouley at Home, offers a seven course tasting menu for dinner and five course for lunch.
28. Caviar Russe, a high end American restaurant which focuses on, you guessed it, caviar.
29. Casa Mono, classic Spanish tapas, ham and wine.
30. Carbone, Italian cuisine with lunch and dinner menus.
31. Satsuki (Suzuki’s sushi bar), omakase sushi dinners at an intimate 10-seat bar.
32. Agern, a Danish, seasonally driven restaurant and bar.
33. Contra, a New American style restaurant offering a price fixed menu. They offer both vegetarian and standard menus.
34. Sushi Amane, an eight seat omasake counter offering a $250 multi-course menu.
35. Jeju Noodle Bar, a Korean inspired noodle bar with a focus on pork and seafood.
36. The Clocktower, high end American fare on Madison Avenue.
37. ZZ’s Clam Bar, the name speaks for itself. Think small plates and a slamming raw bar.
38. Uncle Boons, one of the few Thai restaurants on the list, and definitely one of the more affordable options.
39. Kosaka, a traditional Japanese sushi spot with an emphasis on omakasee.
40. Casa Enrique, a casual and affordable Mexican restaurant with great cocktails and guac.
41. Kyo Ya, an underground Japanese restaurant with a multi-course menu. It’s so underground they don’t even have a website.
42. Sushi Yasuda, sushi focused on great rice and quality fish.
43. Meadowsweet, the $85, five course tasting menu is one of the most affordable tastings on the list.
44. Kanoyama, offers fresh fish and sushi for a relatively affordable price.
45. Faro, focuses on homemade pastas using local grains from New York farms.
46. Ai Fiori, breakfast, lunch and dinner are available at this Italian and French inspired restaurant.
47. Café China, is the only Chinese restaurant to make the list this year.
48. Jewel Bako, has held a Michelin Star for 15 consecutive years. Comparatively, this restaurant is on the affordable side.
49. Aldea, serves Iberian cuisine with a variety of fish as well as Iberian-cured hams and rice dishes.
50. Claro, serves traditional Oaxacan plates for brunch and dinner as well as a large selection of Mezcals.
51. Le Coucou, is a very Parisian restaurant in the heart of the Big Apple.
52. Del Posto, high end Italian for lunch and dinner. They have prix-fixe as well as a la carte options.
53. Sushi Nakazawa, serves a twenty-course omakase meal using domestic and internationally sourced ingredients.
54. Kajitsu, serves vegetarian shojin cuisine. This unique culinary style originates from Zen Buddhism.
55. Cote Korean Steakhouse, traditional Korean bbq meets an American one at this meat heavy restaurant.
56. Tempura Matsui, serves tempura everything! A multi-course menu including sashimi is available for lunch and dinner.
57. The NoMad Restaurant, casual and elegant at the same time, the menu at the NoMad is inspired by Swizz and American style cuisine.
58. The River Café, nestled under the Brooklyn Bridge, this special restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
59. Peter Luger Steak House, a NYC classic. Peter Luger’s is the ultimate dining experience for meat lovers.
60. Hirohisa, specialty fish and meat of the day are served at both lunch and dinner experiences.
61. Noda, an eight-seat sushi bar devoted to high-end omakase.
62. Tuome, focuses on traditional American cooking with Asian inspired influences.
63. Blue Hill, this American restaurant uses seasonal, local ingredients.
64. Atomix, a modern twist on traditional Korean cuisine with a multi-course tasting menu.
65. Babbo, Italian style restaurant and wine bar. The traditional tasting menu comes in at $115.
66. Gotham Bar and Grill, focused on American fare in the West Village.
67. Gramercy Tavern, this restaurant only serves a fixed-price menu in the dining room although the bar is quite happening.
68. The Musket Room, a modern take on home-style New Zealand cooking.
69. Bar Uchu, the younger brother of two star, Ichimura at Uchu.
70. Bâtard, a French inspired kitchen in Tribeca. This restaurant waves their corkage fee on Mondays!
71. The Finch, a hospitality-driven seasonal American restaurant in Brooklyn.
72. Sushi Noz, at this restaurant, the owners like to think of sushi preparation as a performance. An Edomae style tasting menu is available for dinner, consisting of 5-6 small plates and a selection of seasonal nigiri and comes in at $300 per person. The setting is very intimate with just 8 people being served at a time.
73. Wallsé, is a modern Austrian restaurant which integrates fine dining & fine art. Minimalist, contemporary 20th century art adorns the walls which gives it an extra special touch. The menu options are also quite affordable for what you’re getting including a two course option for $59, a three course for $77 or a four course tasting for $95.
74. Junoon, is the only Indian restaurant to make the list this year. They offer a lunch prix-fixe option and a dinner tasting menu.
75. Okuda New York, offers a personalized omakase menu with carefully selected seasonal food every day.
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