
The NYC dining scene is forever changing, and although that means losing some classic favorites, it also means gaining some new must-visit spots. The past few months have 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 to try right now.
The Secret NYC team relies on personal experience, recommendations, editorial reviews, and customer feedback before recommending the best places to grab a bite or sip cocktails in NYC. Since we’re the city that never sleeps, this list is constantly evolving. Please check back regularly.
1. Smithereens, East Village
This New-England inspired spot in the East Village recently opened in November, and it’s catching our eye for its twists on classic Northeast fare. Smithereens’ below-street-level restaurant is one to take note of, not only for its nautical nature but also the star power behind it in chef Nick Tamburo, formerly of Claud, and beverage director Nikita Malhotra, formerly of Momofuku Ko.
As for the food, one-of-a-kind twists on New England classics are abundant, where seafood-forward dishes like the buckwheat pancake with smoked fish, lobster roll, and beans with red shrimp, squid, and sea urchin steal the show. Don’t forget to wash it down with a $6 Narragansett like a true New Englander would.
Where: 414 E 9th St
🍽️ Make a reservation at Smithereens here (reservations open 14 days in advance at 10 am)
2. Sunn’s, Chinatown
The wildly popular Banchan by Sunny pop-ups finally find a permanent home in Chinatown as curator and chef Sunny Lee secured a new Korean gem in the area. Her brand new spot (which only can seat 24 guests at once) is the ultimate spot for banchan, which gets sold in sets for $23.
Beyond the must-try banchan, Lee’s been able to open up the menu beyond her pop-up capabilities…tapping into dishes like mayak kimbap, hotteok, and crab gyeranmari which should equally pique your interest. Pair it with one of their Korean rice wine or lagers and you can understand why the Korean restaurant-wine bar crossover is legitimate.
Where: 139 Division St
🍽️ Make a reservation at Sunn’s here (reservations open 14 days in advance at 10 am)
3. Chez Fifi, Upper East Side
I was quite skeptical when I heard Michelin-starred sushi pioneers Joshua and David Foulquier (Sushi Noz & Noz 17) were working on a French bistro concept, but they’ve knocked it out the park. The brothers have eloquently turned a 19th century Upper East Side townhouse into a stunning restaurant, dishing out Parisian fare that will transport you to France.
Highlight menu items here include French/Basque-inspired dishes…think txangurro (“deviled baked crab”), Dover sole à la plancha, and even a unique fromage blanc ice cream for dessert.
Where: 140 E 74th St
🍽️ Make a reservation at Chez Fifi here (reservations open 3 weeks in advance at midnight)
4. Pearl Box, SoHo
You always have to be a bit hesitant when a new swanky cocktail bar starts making the rounds on TikTok, but Pearl Box is actually worth the chatter. Sure, this spot is more on the bar end of the scale than full blown restaurant, but it should still be on your list to try in early 2025.
It sits on the third floor of a SoHo building, just above Heroes (also part of the Pearl Box family), and the small yet intimate space is a sexy hangout spot you want to be seen in. The lush red carpet winds up the staircase and into a dimly lit wood-lined lounge that just oozes retro 1970s vibes. While the food menu is limited (blue fin tuna & rice, fried chicken, scallop crudo), this is more the kind of spot you head for some boujee caviar service and $22 Cherry Americanos.
Where: 357 W Broadway, Floor 3
🍽️ Make a reservation at Pearl Box here
4. BRASS, NoMad
BRASS inspires to “pay homage to NYC’s iconic grand dining rooms, and we must admit it does so with great taste. The sister restaurant to Tusk Bar, which also sits inside the Evelyn Hotel, is quite elegant in decoration…white tablecloths, a grand piano, and even a skylight that rips light through out the dining room.
Their menu plays the part as well, offering a nod to French brasserie routes. Centered around entrees like Montauk Ruby Red Prawn Tartare and Golden Chicken Roulade for Two, you’ll be able to find other gems too like Moules Frites hors d’oeuvres and a wonderfully crafted cocktail list by Bar Director Tristan Brunel (try the Autumn Leaves or one of the “Two Sippers”).
Where: 7 E 27th St
🍽️ Make a reservation at BRASS here
5. Gus & Marty’s, Williamsburg
Overlooking the edge of McCarren Park in Brooklyn sits Gus & Marty’s, a brand new not-your-average Greek restaurant. The bustling dining room is welcoming—owners Sarah and Demetri serving food and chatting with customers, family vacation photos lining the walls as decor, and unobstructed views into the ever-busy kitchen.
The food menu just feels authentic, from the hand-stretched pita with dips to mains like the grilled lamb riblets, roasted pork gyros and fries, and feta saganaki. We see it become a neighborhood staple extremely quickly.
Where: 232 N 12th St, Brooklyn
🍽️ Make a reservation at Gus & Marty’s here
6. Zimmi’s, West Village
Stepping into Zimmi’s feels like you’re walking into your grandpa’s house in the South of France. Chef Maxime Pradié has brought to life a quaint bistro concept where the homestyle cooking feels at the utmost forefront of the business. Zimmi’s menu is inspired by family, where many specialty recipes like the tielle sétoise and pissaladiére have been passed down from his grandmother. The wine menu—like any good Southern France restaurant—has over 100 different bottles from the region that you can taste test.
Where: 72 Bedford St
🍽️ Make a reservation at Zimmi’s here
7. Clemente Bar, Flatiron
It’s no secret at this point that we’re massive fans of the vegan Michelin-starred namesake Eleven Madison Park, and now their new upstairs cocktail bar is quickly getting the same attention. Clemente Bar’s intimate chef’s counter and bar curated by Chef Daniel Humm and artist Francesco Clemente feels elevated.
Diners can take in one-of-a-kind works by Clemente, furniture by LA-based designer Brett Robinson, and custom lamps by the German artist Carsten Höller…all while trying out an impressive beverage program and an expanded menu from the main restaurant. Expect plant-based hand-held bites and mid-$20 cocktails or go all out with a 90-minute, five-course experience at The Studio chef’s counter.
Where: 11 Madison Ave
🍽️ Make a reservation at Clemente Bar here
8. SEA, Chelsea
The team behind popular Korean spot Jungsik has opened a new spot in Chelsea, focusing on the diversity of exciting flavors from the (S)outh(E)ast (A)sian region. Restaurant and pioneer Jungsik Yim’s brand new casual Korean spot near Penn Station is a cool and vibrant vibe, with a concise menu of raw bar items, small plates and shareable plates, and a curated beverage program.
Some of their most coveted items include the Fried Heritage Chicken, Dry Tom Yum Noodles, Razor Clam, and much more. Check out SEA’s full menu here.
Where: 151 W 30th St
🍽️ Make a reservation at SEA here
9. Le Veau D’or, Upper East Side
After first opening in 1937, the team behind Frenchette and Le Rock have resurrected the longest standing French bistro in New York City. Le Veau D’or leans into their stoic history, decorating the wood-paneled walls with an old menu and memorabilia that feels like a hop through time. The menu is equally pleasant, a $125 prix fixe menu, where guests can choose from 10 appetizers, 10 entrees, and five desserts over the course of the culinary journey.
The French food is as you expect, flavor-packed and fancy…with popular standouts including the les délices “Veau d’Or, pommes soufflées with caviar rouge à la crème, and more.
Where: 129 E 60th St
🍽️ Make a reservation at Le Veau D’or here
10. Carnitas Ramirez, East Village
Anyone up for some carnitas?! This new East Village spot is from the team behind Taqueria Ramirez in Greenpoint, who undoubtedly has some of the best tacos in NYC. Carnitas Ramirez has specialized in just that, carnitas, in which guests can choose from which part of the pork they’d like their food from (oreja [ear], buche [stomach], costilla [ribs]).
Once getting your choice of meat which range from lean to fatty, you can head to the salsa station to dress it up to your heart’s content. If you’re a fan of the taco joint in Brooklyn you’ve got to give this Manhattan one a go. See the full menu explained here!
Where: 210 E 3rd St
11. The Corner Store, SoHo
A new SoHo hotspot has emerged, and it’s from the team behind the celebrity-buzzing Catch. The Corner Store is an upscale take on a classic American joint, which feels nostalgic, yet timeless at the same time. Playing off it’s name…it’s meant to have everything you need, which is why it’s receptive menu features items like Five Cheese Pizza Rolls, Roasted Whole Dover Sole, and Disco Steak Frites—an elevated twist on diner-style disco fries.
Don’t forget to try out a drink too, specifically one of their martinis in which the cocktail menu is based around. The classic Oli’s Dirty will never go wrong, but feel free to experiment with their other options. See the full menu and plan a visit here.
Where: 475 W Broadway
🍽️ Make a reservation at The Corner Store here
12. Din Tai Fung, Midtown
The popular Taiwanese chain, Din Tai Fung, has finally opened its doors in New York City, bringing its renowned Michelin Star rated Xiao Long Bao soup dumplings to the East Coast. Located at 1633 Broadway, this new establishment marks the first-ever Din Tai Fung in New York State. Although it’s an incredible hard reservation to snag at the moment, it’s worth it for the xiao long bao, dumplings, buns, wontons, and more. See their full menu and book a spot here!
Where: 1633 Broadway
🍽️ Make a reservation at Din Tai Fung here
13. Elvis, NoHo
Elvis is a brand new sophisticated Parisian-style wine bar that just opened in NoHo, and should be high on your list to grab a glass. With only 30 seats inside (and an outdoor seating area in the warmer months), you can stop by and enjoy a menu full of homemade charcuteries, Pâtés in a Jar, Duck and Salmon Rillettes, Tartare de Bœuf, and more. Don’t forget about their lovely natural French wines curated by Le Dive wine director Frank Guerrier himself. See the full menu and their expansive wine menu here.
Where: 54 Great Jones St
🍽️ Walk-ins only
14. San Sabino
Michelin-starred Don Angie team has opened San Sabino, a new Italian-American restaurant in the West Village, focusing on modern seafood dishes. The menu features innovative items like Crab & Mortadella Dip and Lobster Triangoli, alongside playful cocktails. The space blends Italian high design with retro nostalgia, creating a unique dining atmosphere. See the full menu and reserve a table here.
Where: 113 Greenwich Ave
🍽️ Make a reservation at San Sabino here
15. Cha Cha Tang, West Village
Inspired by cha chaan tengs, the casual diners that originated in Hong Kong, this new West Village hotspot is serving up a mish-mash of westernized Chinese food. Chefs Akiko Thurnauer and Doron Wong are playfully reimagining cha chaan teng classics with an American twist that you need to give a try.
We’re talking OG Egg Rolls (pork, shrimp, Taiwanese cabbage), Bacon & Egg Pearl Noodles (bacon, bean sprouts, garlic chives, soft egg, rice noodles), HK French Toast (bread fried to a crisp and stuffed with taro cream topped with sweetened condensed milk), plus so much more. See their full menu and plan a visit here.
Where: 43 Mott St
🍽️ Make a reservation at Cha Cha Tang here
Written by Claire Leaden, Justine Golata, & Corey Fuller