September in New York City hits a sweet spot.
The worst of the summer heat is finally easing up, fall is starting to creep in, and we can actually go outside again without immediately sweating through our clothes. Naturally, the city’s dining scene is keeping pace, with a fresh slew of bars and restaurants making their debut.
From breezy sidewalk spots to buzzy new hotspots already vying for a spot on your group chat’s dinner rotation, September is bringing plenty of new places to eat, drink, and linger.
Here are the new NYC bars and restaurants defining September.
Hommali – Now Open
Hommali, a contemporary Thai restaurant, just opened in the West Village.
At Hommali (“hom mali” in Thai means jasmine rice), white jasmine rice is offered on the house and shapeshifts throughout the menu.
Chef Benz riffs on classic Thai flavors throughout the menu, with standout dishes including Prik Larb beef tartare with northern larb spices, a creamy coconut-fermented soybean Tao Jiew Lon dip with battered vegetables, seafood cocktail (razor clams, scallop and shrimp) dressed in a sauce that takes on the hot and sour notes of tom yum, and a comforting beef cheek Panang Curry.
And rice is even woven through the whimsical cocktail program, which features drinks such as the Banana with jasmine rice-infused whiskey and the Tomato, a michelada-meets-spritz accompanied by a chile tincture.
Rewind – Now Open
Rewind is a new underground cocktail bar, Pan-Asian restaurant, and karaoke destination now open in Long Island City.
Located beneath the 7 train, the 9,000-square-foot space brings together three distinct experiences, starting with a retro-inspired speakeasy cocktail bar led by Beverage Director Ken Chen, formerly of Taipei’s Indulge Experimental Bistro.
The food menu from Chef Partner Alexander Lee puts a creative spin on nostalgic Asian comfort food, with dishes like Truffle Mushroom Congee and Taiwanese Fried Chicken. Guests can also head into one of eight private karaoke rooms, each designed with its own immersive theme, from Hong Kong cinema to vintage recording studios.
Bar Etienne – Now Open
Bar Etienne is a new French-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant in the West Village from longtime downtown hospitality veterans Michael Bray and Keith Larry.
The intimate spot blends classic French bistro charm with the energy of a downtown dive bar, serving creative “crusher” cocktails alongside an old-world wine list and a concise menu of French and European-inspired dishes.
Expect playful drinks like the Banana Question, a rum cocktail made by clarifying 32 bananas, and the savory Martini Tomate topped with Parmesan. On the food side, the menu features French comfort food with elevated touches, including French Onion Grilled Cheese and Steak Frites au Poivre, plus desserts from Claude Bakery.
Amphora – Now Open
Amphora is a new wine-focused restaurant recently opened in the Flatiron District.
Helmed by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Jack Logue (formerly The Lambs Club, The Clocktower, and Betony), Amphora pairs one of New York City’s most extensive wine collections–the cellar features almost 2,500 labels!–with elevated, seasonal cuisine.
Alongside wines from the world’s most renowned wine regions–including Burgundy, Northern Rhone, Piedmont, and Champagne–Amphora offers a signature tasting menu with curated wine pairings, three- and four-course prix fixe menus, as well as an à la carte offering at the bar.
ÓOL – Now Open
ÓOL, pronounced “awl,” has brought New York’s first cacao café straight to the heart of SoHo. Conceived as a modern taller de cacao–or cacao atelier–ÓOL is rooted in cacao’s Mesoamerican origins.
Inside the bi-level space–which includes a main seating area and a lower-level studio dedicated to tastings, workshops, and gatherings–guests can personalize their beverage at the Cacao Bar, selecting the origin of ethically sourced cacao, the drink base, and spice-infused syrups.
Beyond the signature cacao offerings, ÓOL offers cold preparations including a Cacao Coconut Cold Brew, made with cacao nibs, highlighting the full spectrum of cacao in both flavor and form.
Galo – Now Open
Chef Nuno Sousa has brought his second restaurant–the first being Leitao–and Portugese heritage to NYC.
Marrying the intimacy of a traditional adega (vineyard tasting room) with the sophistication of the West Village, the menu at Galo maps Portugal’s land and sea through petiscos (Portuguese tapas), seafood, arroz, and heritage centerpieces like Galo Recheado (whole stuffed rooster) and Perna de Cabrito Assada (roasted goat leg).
The food is served alongside one of the largest selections of Portuguese wine in New York, featuring the country’s distinct regions ranging from Vinho Verde, Bairrada, Dão, and Alentejo to the volcanic Azores, Madeira, and the Port lodges of the Douro.
Carnegie Deli – Now Open
10 years after its devastating closure, NYC’s iconic Carnegie Deli has returned to Midtown.
First opened in 1937, Carnegie Deli became a defining part of New York dining culture, famous for its massive sandwiches, award-winning cheesecake, and legendary Wall of Fame filled with celebrity regulars, including Robin Williams, Stevie Wonder, Milton Berle, and Jackie Mason.
Now that it has reopened, Carnegie Deli is once again serving its famously gargantuan sandwiches–including the pastrami and corned beef, served piled up high on old-fashioned rye with Düsseldorf mustard and half-sour and sour pickles. Learn more.
H. Valley – Now Open
Award-winning chef Austin Johnson, formerly of Michelin-starred One White Street and Rigor Hill Market, has teamed up with restaurateur Eytan Sugarman to open H. Valley, a new chef-driven neighborhood market in the West Village.
Though not technically a restaurant or a bar, the all-day market should absolutely be on your radar, bringing the bounty of the Hudson Valley to the everyday grocery run.
Inside, shoppers can find chef-prepared breakfast and lunch, fresh pastries and coffee, locally sourced produce, ready-to-cook proteins, housemade sauces, fresh and frozen pastas, and provisions for dinner. Highlights include Johnson’s bacon, egg, and cheese on a warm biscuit, sandwiches, rotisserie chicken, grilled fish, and seasonal vegetables.
The market also features 24 seats, a dedicated kids’ area, and a Friday farmers market showcasing farmers and makers from across the Hudson Valley.
Monkey Thief – Now Open
Monkey Thief, the cult-followed Pan-Asian cocktail and food spot that first made waves as a 2024 pop-up, is officially back with a permanent home in Hell’s Kitchen.
From the team behind Three Kings Hospitality, the group also behind Sama ‘Za and Same Same, the concept draws inspiration from the founders’ experiences living and traveling throughout Asia.
The menu pairs inventive, ingredient-driven cocktails with shareable dishes inspired by the flavors of China, Vietnam, Thailand, India, and beyond. The space is divided into three distinct sections–The Court, The Train Car, and The Den–each offering its own atmosphere for pre-theater drinks, dinner, late-night hangs, and everything in between.
FKA: Formerly Known As – Now Open
FKA: Formerly Known As is bringing a little old-school NYC nightlife energy to the East Village. The new bar comes from a team of industry veterans and pairs expertly crafted cocktails and cold beer with approachable dishes inspired by New York street food and flavors from around the world.
The menu ranges from East Coast oysters and smoked crawfish and scallop ceviche to Frito Pie, a house-blend Royale With Cheese burger, and a bacon, egg, and cheese-inspired sandwich. Behind the bar, guests can sip playful cocktails named after cultural icons, including the Amanda Lepore, Basquiat, and Wu-Tang, alongside martinis, piña coladas, strawberry daiquiris, and Miami Vices.
The eclectic space channels 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s New York, with vintage CBGB posters, old ticket stubs, a 1990s Super Soaker, an original Nintendo Entertainment System, dark wood, exposed brick, and TVs playing old movies, music videos, and more.
DON’T BE SHY – Now Open
A new intimate cocktail bar in Hudson Square is whisking New Yorkers across Japan, one drink at a time.
DON’T BE SHY takes inspiration from Tokyo’s classic Ginza bars, with a serene, nine-seat counter and cocktails inspired by different Japanese regions, traditions, and craftsmanship. The signature “Trip to Japan” menu includes drinks like Fuji, a smoky brandy cocktail, and Edo, made with sweet potato miso-infused vodka and a sweet potato Campari ice cube.
The bar also serves Japanese-American bites like umami burrata, tuna tartare, miso Chilean sea bass, and wagyu hot sandos.
Cafe Charmant – Now Open
The West Village has a new French Riviera-inspired brasserie with a seafood-forward menu and plenty of coastal charm.
Cafe Charmant puts a downtown New York spin on the classic French brasserie, serving everything from oysters, diver scallop crudo, and wild shrimp carpaccio to spicy moules gratin and whole grilled branzino.
The menu also leans into brasserie staples like steak frites and an Iberico Milanese, alongside inventive cocktails and a thoughtful wine list.
Ferguson’s Country – Now Open
Williamsburg has a new Southern spot serving cast-iron cornbread, hot chicken, shrimp and grits, and plenty of moonshine.
Ferguson’s Country brings a small-town Southern feel to Lorimer Street, with a menu of blackened or cornmeal-fried catfish, hot chicken biscuits, hush puppies, peach cobbler, and platters with two sides.
At the bar, guests can sip cocktails like a Lowcountry Iced Tea and Corn Martini, alongside draft beer and a deep moonshine selection.
The Astor – Now Open
The Public Theater has a new restaurant that feels like a love letter to old New York.
The Astor opened September 15 in the former Library space, bringing wood paneling, red banquettes, white tablecloths, and a massive mural honoring generations of Public Theater artists.
The menu leans into classic New York dining with dishes like clams casino, steak Diane, pigs in Wellington, and “Devilish” eggs, while the cocktail list focuses on classics like ice cold martinis, Manhattans, and Bijous.
Susu’s – Now Open
Susu’s is bringing the no-reservations, neighborhood bar back to Williamsburg when it opens September 23 at 229 Kent Avenue. Founded by longtime NYC bartender Michael Bishop-Myers and his brother Steven, the laid-back spot is designed to feel like a corner dive–just with much better cocktails and food.
The bar serves modern classic cocktails, house drinks, an extensive natural wine list, and elevated bar food with French and Japanese influences, including its signature Susu Smash Burger. An all-vinyl hi-fi system sets the mood, with vinyl DJs taking over on weekend nights.
With no host, no reservations, and no dress code, Susu’s is meant to be an easy neighborhood stop–whether you’re grabbing a drink after work, stopping by before a night out, or ordering a late-night bite.
Baekjeong Black – Now Open
A new 8,000-square-foot Korean barbecue destination is heading to New York, bringing an elevated take on tableside grilling to the city.
Baekjeong Black features two distinct experiences: Yangban, a sleek ground-floor cocktail bar serving small plates and Korean-inspired drinks, and Baekjeong upstairs, where diners can hand-select cuts of USDA Prime, dry-aged, and Wagyu beef before having them grilled tableside.
The design incorporates historic elements and traditional decor sourced from South Korea, while the experience draws inspiration from Seoul’s famous Majang Meat Market.
Bar CC – Now Open
West Chelsea is about to get a new luxe spot for cocktails, wine, and late-night bites.
Opening in the former Mel’s space at 85 Tenth, Bar CC is a 3,000-square-foot bar with velvet walls, walnut millwork, Venetian sconces, and a century-old mirror sourced in Paris. The drinks menu includes cocktails like the CC Martini and Toasted Almond Sour, while the wine list boasts more than 1,000 bottles, including rare vintages served by the glass.
For food, expect elevated bar bites like Osetra caviar-topped Fancy Chips, a Baby Burger with Mornay and shallot, and wood-roasted trumpet mushrooms with sesame mole.
Motek – Now Open
Motek, the buzzy Miami-born restaurant, has taken its signature blend of vibrant Mediterranean flavors, warm hospitality, and design-forward dining to new heights with the debut of its New York City flagship in the heart of Midtown.
Showcasing Motek’s beloved all-day menu, guests can look forward to award-winning hummus, shawarma, schnitzel, kebabs, house-baked pita, brunch favorites, craft cocktails, and more–all made with 100% seed oil-free ingredients.
The flagship also debuts Motek To-Go, a new grab-and-go concept featuring sandwiches, fresh salads, Mediterranean pastries, and coffee, bringing Motek’s signature flavors to New Yorkers on the move.
ROMY – Now Open
ROMY has officially opened its doors in SoHo’s former Little Prince space. The intimate 40-seat jewel box pairs polished service, a curated soundtrack, and an approachable wine list with interiors by designer Rafael de Cárdenas, creating the feeling of an effortlessly glamorous dinner party.
The kitchen puts a feminine spin on the classic steakhouse, with highlights including a warm “muffin top” bread service, hamachi cured with lemongrass and leche de tigre, a wedge salad with Rogue River blue cheese and Berkshire bacon, bucatini al pomodoro, Niman Ranch strip with five-peppercorn au poivre, and dry-brined Sasso chicken.
The beverage program was built by a team of seasoned NYC sommeliers and service pros, with the menu blending technical precision with seasonal ingredients.
Gotham Burger Social Club – Now Open
Gotham Burger Social Club has opened its second brick-and-mortar location in Williamsburg, bringing its cult-favorite Gotham Smash to 216 Grand Street—plus its first-ever full bar.
The 1,500-square-foot spot serves the same crispy, onion-packed burgers fans know and love, alongside cocktails like Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, spicy margaritas, and weekend Bloody Marys, plus wine and local Brooklyn beers.
The space carries over the Lower East Side location’s nostalgic, mid-century-meets-Western vibe, inspired by Oklahoma, the birthplace of the fried onion burger.