Dining in NYC in 2026 isn’t just about the food–it’s about the “New York-iness.” As the Times’ co-chief critic Ligaya Mishan puts it, you might admire a four-star institution but adore a two-star hole-in-the-wall for its imperfections.
And between the impossible-to-book tasting menus, neighborhood gems New Yorkers swear by, and hole-in-the-wall spots worth crossing boroughs for, narrowing down where to eat next can feel like a full time job.
Thankfully, The New York Times just did the hard work for us, unveiling its highly anticipated list of “The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City in 2026.”
This year’s list is a massive shift, highlighting 24 new entries and a surprising Top 10 that sends a clear message: the most essential meals in the city are now found in the places you’d least expect.
To put the list together, The Times’ new co-chief critic, Ligaya Mishan, scoured the city end to end, considering “imagination, ambience, service, technique, passion, commitment and sheer deliciousness.”
The roundup features everything from iconic names like Le Bernardin and Via Carota to newer breakout stars like Corima and Smithereens–proving once again that there’s nowhere in the world quite like New York when it comes to food.
The 2026 Top 10: New York’s Elite
The top ten were just unveiled, and the #1 spot is a soulful, boundary-breaking surprise.
- Kabawa (Caribbean, Tasting – Manhattan)
- Yamada (Japanese, Kaiseki, Tasting – Manhattan)
- Torrisi (Italian – Manhattan)
- Meju (Korean, Tasting – Queens)
- Jean-Georges (French, Tasting – Manhattan)
- Borgo (Italian – Manhattan)
- Atomix (Korean, Tasting – Manhattan)
- Aquavit (Swedish, Scandinavian, Tasting – Manhattan)
- Semma (Indian – Manhattan)
- Mama Lee (Taiwanese – Queens)
New York City’s top 100 restaurants for 2026, according to The New York Times:
The Remaining List–No. 11-100:
- Sushi Sho (Sushi Omakase, Tasting – Manhattan)
- Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi (New American, Caribbean, Creole, African – Manhattan)
- Via Carota (Italian – Manhattan)
- Kono (Japanese, Tasting – Manhattan)
- Claud (New American, French – Manhattan)
- Aska (Scandinavian, Tasting – Brooklyn)
- AbuQir (Seafood, Egyptian, Middle Eastern – Queens)
- Smithereens (New American – Manhattan)
- Khao Kang (Thai – Queens)
- The Four Horsemen (New American – Brooklyn)
- Le Bernardin (French, Seafood, Tasting – Manhattan)
- Warung Selasa at Indo Java (Indonesian – Queens)
- Toné Cafe (Georgian – Brooklyn)
- Kappo Sono (Japanese, Kaiseki, Tasting – Manhattan)
- Levant (Middle Eastern – Queens)
- Mam (Vietnamese – Manhattan)
- Sofreh (Iranian, Middle Eastern – Brooklyn)
- Keens Steakhouse (Steakhouse – Manhattan)
- Chambers (New American – Manhattan)
- Sunn’s (Korean – Manhattan)
- Yemenat (Yemeni, Middle Eastern – Brooklyn)
- The Bar Room at the Modern (New American – Manhattan)
- Bánh Anh Em (Vietnamese – Manhattan)
- Estela (New American – Manhattan)
- Penny (Seafood, French – Manhattan)
- Lilia (Italian – Brooklyn)
- Corima (Mexican – Manhattan)
- Zaab Zaab (Thai – Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn)
- Golden Diner (Asian American, Diner – Manhattan)
- Casa Mono and Bar Jamón (Spanish – Manhattan)
- Jungsik (Korean, Tasting – Manhattan)
- Ajo y Oregano (Dominican, Caribbean – The Bronx)
- Saga (New American, Tasting – Manhattan)
- Carnitas Ramirez (Mexican – Manhattan)
- Szechuan Mountain House (Chinese, Sichuan – Queens)
- Yoon Haeundae Galbi (Korean – Manhattan)
- Superiority Burger (Diner, Vegetarian – Manhattan)
- ABCV (Vegetarian – Manhattan)
- Taste Good (Malaysian – Queens)
- King (Mediterranean – Manhattan)
- Cho Dang Gol (Korean – Manhattan)
- Thai Diner (Thai – Manhattan)
- Roman’s (Italian – Brooklyn)
- Ha’s Snack Bar (French, Vietnamese, Wine Bar – Manhattan)
- Dukagjini Burek (Albanian – The Bronx)
- Daniel (French, Tasting – Manhattan)
- Eyval (Iranian, Middle Eastern – Brooklyn)
- Hellbender (Mexican – Queens)
- Lungi (Sri Lankan – Manhattan)
- Saranrom Thai (Thai – Queens)
- Taiwanese Gourmet (Taiwanese – Queens)
- Amdo Momo (Tibetan – Queens)
- Rezdôra (Italian – Manhattan)
- Txikito (Basque, Spanish – Manhattan)
- Laghman Express (Uyghur – Brooklyn)
- Dhamaka (Indian – Manhattan)
- Nepali Bhanchha Ghar (Nepalese – Queens)
- Renee’s Kitchenette and Grill (Filipino – Queens)
- Shukette (Middle Eastern – Manhattan)
- Taco Mix (Mexican – Manhattan, The Bronx)
- Lola’s (Asian, Southern – Manhattan)
- Kingston Tropical (Jamaican, Caribbean – The Bronx)
- Hop Lee (Chinese – Manhattan)
- Birria-Landia (Mexican – Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, The Bronx)
- Maison Passerelle (French, Caribbean, Tasting – Manhattan)
- Lei (Chinese – Manhattan)
- Cocina Consuelo (Mexican – Manhattan)
- Dar Lbahja (Moroccan – Queens)
- Kisa (Korean – Manhattan)
- Asian Bowl (Burmese – Queens)
- Shaw-naé’s House (Soul Food – Staten Island)
- Una Pizza Napoletana (Pizza – Manhattan)
- White Bear (Chinese – Queens)
- Ci Siamo (Italian – Manhattan)
- Uncle Ray’s Chicken Rice (Chinese, Singaporean – Manhattan)
- Okiboru House of Tsukemen (Japanese – Manhattan)
- 188 Bakery Cuchifritos (Puerto Rican, Dominican – The Bronx)
- Trinciti Roti Shop (Trinidadian and Tobagonian – Queens)
- Ho Foods (Taiwanese – Manhattan)
- Tamales Lupita (Mexican – Manhattan)
- Cas West Indian & American Restaurant (Jamaican, Caribbean – Brooklyn)
- Barney Greengrass (Deli, Breakfast – Manhattan)
- Lakruwana (Sri Lankan – Staten Island)
- Accra Express (West African, Ghanaian – Manhattan, The Bronx)
- A&A Bake and Doubles (Trinidadian and Tobagonian – Brooklyn)
- Çka Ka Qëllu (Albanian – The Bronx, Manhattan)
- Temple Canteen (Indian – Queens)
- Randazzo’s Clam Bar (Italian American, Seafood – Brooklyn)
- Chalupas Poblanas El Tlecuile (Mexican – Queens)
- Kabab King (Pakistani, Indian – Queens)
New this year, the Times also created an interactive checklist feature on each entry to keep track of your favorites and share with friends. See how the list compares to last year’s here.
