The NYC dining scene is forever changing, and although that means losing some classic favorites, it also means gaining some new must-visit spots. This year has been ripe with brand new restaurants and bars, especially offering some truly incredible menus and atmospheres.
Here are some of the best new restaurants in NYC that have opened within the past few months (with a few that are opening up in the coming months) that really stand out.
1. Bad Roman, Columbus Circle
Bad Roman made our best restaurants in NYC list, and it must be for good reason, since it’s fairly new! Although it’s a hard reservation at the moment, their playful takes on Italian cuisine and their flamboyant interior is worth your while! You’ll essentially feel like you’re dining an adult Rainforest Cafe, all while chomping down on Instagram-worthy bites like the ‘Roni Cups and Ranch, Roasted Garlic Babka, and Filetto with Cacio e Pepe Raviolo. Between the chaotic decor and the uniqueness of the menu, this spot is one of a kind. Check out menu here.
Where: 10 Columbus Circle, 3rd Floor
2. Neat Burger, NoLita
There’s a reason Neat Burger, a new a plant-based restaurant is invested in by Leonardo DiCaprio, Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, and so many more! It’s because their delicious menu makes plant-based dining fun for all! Stop into the Nolita locatio ot try out fun takes on different burgers, like the Smash Burger, Buffalo Chick’n Burger and their signature Neat Burger. All flavors and textures are identical to real meat but are 100% vegan, free of preservatives, allergens, gluten and GMOs! Check out their full menu here.
Where: 25 Cleveland Pl
3. Principe, SoHo
Principe is SoHo’s brand new seafood-focused restaurant that draws from both local and Italian influences. Chef Chef Abram Bissell helms the exceptional seafood menu here, all which is seasonally curated! The interior is stunning, complete with glass chandeliers, concrete walls, and a boujee raw bar station. Their menu is concise and includes few sections like Raw Bar options (marinated tuna with blood orange & dakion), pastas (ndunderi with lemon & bottarga), mains (crispy chicken with cucumber & basil aioli), salads, and sides. Check out their menu here.
Where: 450 W Broadway
4. Foul’s Witch, East Village
The team behind Williamsburg’s Roberta’s have opened a new spot in Alphabet City, with a focus on “spooky Italian fare and an uninhibited natural wine list in an intimate gothic setting.” Their narrow restaurant is a great spot to grab some small plates and drinks, like the Stracciatella as an appetizer and the Grilled Tripe (w/pecorino and mint) or Grilled Pork (fennel pollen & lemon) as a main. Why we must say that the portion sizes are rather small for the prices here, it’s a great spot to come with friends to split a bunch of items. Check out the menu here.
Where: 15 Avenue A
5. Mesiba, Williamsburg
Mesiba, a Tel Aviv-inspired restaurant just opened in the Moxy Hotel in Williamsburg! The restaurant’s name derives from the word “party” in Hebrew, and the spot takes inspiration from founding partner Elad Zvi’s childhood memories of the diverse flavors of Israel. Their Levantine fare is innovative and delicious, and pairs beautifully with their vibrant cocktails. We’re talking everything from Charred Octopus (smoked onion & green shatta) off their “Yala” section to the Lamb Neck (yemeni pancake, amba, pickles & fresh herbs) from their entree “Masiba” section. Pair the meal with their ecletic atmosphere and punchy cocktails and you’re in a treat. See their menu here.
Where: 353 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
6. goodsugar, Upper East Side
Say hello to goodsugar, Manhattan’s newest organic juice and food restaurant founded by acclaimed wellness entrepreneur and Juice Press founder Marcus Antebi. Their thoughtfully designed concept focuses on making healthy, elevated casual dining accessible, whether you’re fueling up for a busy day, or enjoying a casual meal. Everything here is nutritious and flavor-packed and their menu includes everything from organic smoothies and smoothie bowls to cold pressed juices and juice shots, hot soups, salads, and more. Check out their menu here.
Where: 3rd Avenue & 69th Street
7. OL’DAYS, Tribeca
Stop by the inviting, all-day farm-to-table cafe, OL’DAYS, who just opened up their second NYC outpost. Their brand new Tribeca location includes a variety of fresh new toasts and sandwiches like The Orchard (brie cheese, roasted rainbow carrots & pistachios with a touch of honey on sourdough toast), and the Chipotle Chicken Sandwich (grilled chicken, roasted red peppers, homemade chipotle sauce & arugula on ciabatta). Don’t forget about their incredible happy hour with great cocktails (like the Lychee Rose [lychee, rosewater and sparkling rosé])
Where: 73 Warren St
8. Anixi, Chelsea
A new addition to the food scene is Anixi, a venture by City Roots Hospitality Group. This Mediterranean and plant-based spot is a celebration of cuisine from the region, and offers a unique culinary experience. This lavish brasserie has a stunning interior, and an even better menu focused on fresh and flavorful “fake-meat” dishes. They use locally sourced ingredients, with some of their menu highlights being the Arak Cured “Salmon” Risotto (arborio rice, cream, asparagus, and micro parsley) and Grilled Chick’n Shish Kabob (turmeric, coriander, preserved lemon, green tahini, paprika, fresh cilantro). See full menu here.
Where: 290 8th Ave
9. Stretch Pizza, Flatiron
Grab a thinly crusted pizza at Stretch Pizza, the new brainchild of Wylie Dufresne and Gadi Peleg. The two have spent years mastering the art of bread baking (amongst other culinary skills) and now have a brand new pizzeria approaching America’s favorite food in a fun new way. Of course you’ll be able to dine on classic pies, but they also have their own creative masterpieces like The Old Town (a muenster and mushroom pizza that reimagines a sandwich from Old Town Bar) and Couch Potato (fingerlings, sour cream, bacon, and scallions). There’s also small plates (basil chickpea fries, pull-apart meatball sliders, etc) as well as cocktails! Check out their menu here.
Where: 331 Park Ave S
10. Ro’s Diner, Bushwick
After shutting down Champ’s Diner in January, head chef Ro Seaward has reopened a new vegan outpost in Bushwick called Ro’s Diner. It serves just about anything you could want, from breakfast to burgers to sandwiches! We’re so glad to see one of NYC’s most iconic vegan spots reborn into a brand new space. Check out their menu and plan a visit here.
Where: 197 Meserole St, Brooklyn
11. Tán, Midtown East
Take a trip to Tulum and escape to the Iberian Peninsula at this brand new restaurant in Midtown. The seventh opening from world-renowned Chef Sandoval features a modern, seafood-focused menu, as well as coastal Mexican fare with ingredients sourced straight from Mexico. The coastal interior pairs beautifully with their menu highlights, which include Aguachile tán, a crispy potato-chorizo taco with shrimp and aguachile verde, Red Snapper Tikinxic Style, and a traditional Yucatán Pork Belly. Make your reservation here.
Where: 209 E 49th St
12. JOURNEY, Flatiron
This out-of-the-box immersive gastronomy experience is something you have to experience! JOURNEY offers four unique futuristic theatrical dining and cocktail experiences that are very cool. For $175, you can choose between one of their two ticketed experiences, JOURNEY 360 (a communal five-course prix fixe meal with floor-to-ceiling and tabletop 360 projection mapping for up to 20 people) or a smaller experience JOURNEY Odyssey (five-course prix fixe meal at tables accommodating 2-4 people).
Each experience will guide you through a variety of immersions, including under a shipwreck, the side of the Empire State Building, the canals of Venice, and a whole lot more. If you still want to experience a non-ticketed event at a fraction of a cost, you can check out the JOURNEY Salon (a unique bar with tapas offering) or the JOURNEY Epic Cafe (café, bar, and immersive fine dining with a touch of theater). Learn more here.
Where: 27 W 24th St
13. Gab’s, West Village
Founded by chef Gabby Madden who is the figurehead behind other spots like Lola Taverna and Emmett’s on Grove, comes this new West Village spot, Gab’s. This concept is meant to feel as though you’re stepping into Gab’s personal living room, thanks to the large orange banquette and teak floors, the intimate space where guests can enjoy and upscale menu, and of course a fun atmosphere.
The menu itself places emphasis on micro-seasons, and features highlights that feel like personal touches, including the Finocchiona (Gab’s curated charcuterie plate that will change regularly to highlight small producers of artisan charcuterie across the US) and Gab’s Burger (housemade crackly sweet potato buns, chef’s signature dry-aged burger blend (ground in-house) served with melted gouda, guajillo catsup, black garlic mustard). Full menu here.
Where: 76 Carmine St
14. L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, West Village
Iconic Italian restaurant L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele recently opened their newest NYC flagship and we couldn’t be anymore excited. If you’re a pizza aficionado, you need to check out the Neapolitan pizza, three dining bars, and wine room full of Italian-produced wines. Not only is the house-made pizza as authentic as it is in Naples, you can even watch them make it from your seat, since the layout and kitchen view is wide open! Full menu and reservations available here.
Where: 2 Bank St
15. Caleta, East Village
An ice cream shop by day and bar by night is what you’ll find at Caleta! In collaboration with Bad Habit, you can grab a flavorful ice cream during the day or some savory bites and drinks at night. Check out their menu here and be sure to stop by if you’re in East Village!
Where: 131 Avenue A
16. Jelas, Union Square
Clarified cocktails are the focus at Jelas, a brand new bar that specializes in milk punch cocktails. These concotions are made by combining milk and alcohol, and then clarifying the mixture to remove the solid particles from the milk, either by straining the drink through a cheesecloth or by using a centrifuge. The menu here consists of five rotating milk punch cocktails, including the Vietnamese Coffee (three blends of coffee), the Singapore Sling (clarified milk punch with a fruit forward finish), and the New York Sour (a whiskey sour with red wine foam). Plus, their Southeast Asian decor and small plates are perfect to match.
Where: 17 E 13th St
17. Roscioli, SoHo
One of Rome’s hottest destinations is touching down in SoHo at the end of this month, and taking over the dinner party venue that is currently known as Niche Niche. Roscioli will be entering the space, serving their classics like pizza rossa, pizza bianca, cured meats and cheeses, breads, pasta, and a whole lot more. The multi-floor situation will see a Cucina-style deli, restaurant, and wine bar on the ground level while downstairs will be a blended style of the old Niche Niche and the new Roscioli.
Where: 43 MacDougal St
18. Shmackwich, Chelsea
Shmackwich in Olly Olly Market is serving an elevated menu of bodega classics, including an unreal Wagyu Chopped Cheese (pictured above) which is to absolutely die for. While they also serve other hearty NYC classics like the Wetty Waffle Chicken Sandwich and Hot Whiskey Wings, the chopped cheese is the talk of the town. Plus, it’s even been given the stamp of approval by celebrities Tom Sachs and Meals By Cugine. Learn more here.
Where: 601 W 26th St
19. K’Far, Williamsburg
This Israeli restaurant, bar & café in the lobby of Williamsburg’s Hoxton Hotel serves all sorts of tasteful goodies including pastries, Jerusalem bagel sandwiches, and other entrees “inspired by the food, energy, and warmth of the kitchens of Tel Aviv and K’Far Saba.” Plus, their interior lined with plants and warm lighting makes this one of the most inviting places to stop in for a bite. Full menu here.
Where: 97 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn
20. Casino, Lower East Side
Everything at Casino is focused on coastal European culture, from the red and white checkerboard floors to the carefully curated menu. With an emphasis on coastal seafood and a divine wine list, the experience will have you wanting to book a trip to the Italian and French Riviera within no time. Full menu here.
Where: 171 East Broadway
21. Jōji, Midtown
Tucked beneath Manhattan’s One Vanderbilt, this hidden sushi restaurant below street level is offering an omakase experience unlike anywhere else in NYC. With Chef George Ruan (previous Head Sushi Chef at Masa) running the kitchen and Michelin-Starred Chef Daniel Boulud on operations, we’d expect nothing less than greatness. Jōji sets out to bring authentic Japanese traditions to the heart of Manhattan.
Experiences are available at the 10-person counter or separate private dining room that fits up to 8 people. The omakase menu is $375/person and reservations can be made online through Resy. Learn more here.
Where: 1 Vanderbilt Ave, New York
22. 11 Tigers, East Village
Find the 11Tigers lair located on the second floor of building 225 on Avenue B. Self described as a “speakeasy with a Thai heart and a Japanese soul,” 11Tigers marries Thai sum yadong with Japanese izakaya for an unforgettable dining experience.
Treat yourself to their flavorful 11 Tigers Tom Yum Ramen or Crying Tiger Gyoza, but don’t miss out on their inventive cocktail menu. Experience drinks made with yadong, a traditional Thai liqueur that’s often viewed as a “health tonic.” Tons of varieties exist, one of the most popular being 11 Tigers yadong, hence where the speakeasy draws its name from.
Where: 225 Avenue B 2nd Floor, New York
23. Slutty Vegan, Fort Greene
Atlanta’s extremely popular vegan burger joint has traveled north to NYC with its first-ever Brooklyn location. The cheeky spot drew a massive crowd at its grand opening with a line that ran down the block. See what all the hype is about and order yourself one of their “slutty burgers” with a side of “slutty fries” with signature slut dust. Read more here.
Where: 690 Fulton Street, Brooklyn
24. Masalawala & Sons, Park Slope
Age-old techniques meet a colorful new space in Park Slope’s newest Indian restaurant, Masalawala & Sons. The spot comes from the same hospitality group, Unapologetic Foods, behind notorious establishments such as Dhamaka, Adda Indian Canteen and Rowdy Rooster by restaurateur Roni Mazumdar & Chintan Pandya. The menu explores Roni’s favorite family recipes “from the perspective of [Satyen Mazumda, Roni’s father] a 75 year old immigrant.”
Masalawala & Sons even doubles as grocery store. Diners can shop spices, chocolates, and coffee to bring their favorite flavors from the menu home with them. Learn more here.
Where: 365 5th Ave, Brooklyn
25. The Office of Mr. Moto, East Village
This brand new intimate speakeasy-style restaurant offers a mouthwatering omakase menu (if you can get inside!). Each entry into the speakeasy is hard to come by, and comes via a letter from Mr. Moto himself with clues on how to enter inside. Once you crack the code sent to you after your reservation, you’ll be greeted to loads of 19th century Japanese decor alongside a 21 or 23-course menu Edomae-style omakase experience sourced directly from the Toyosu Fish Market in Japan!
Where: 120 Saint Marks Pl
Written by Claire Leaden, Justine Golata, & Corey Fuller