The best restaurants in Manhattan in 2026 are Le Bernardin for seafood fine dining, Via Carota and Torrisi for Italian, Keens Steakhouse for a historic chophouse, Katz's Delicatessen for pastrami, and Gramercy Tavern for American hospitality. Atomix, Semma and Dhamaka lead the modern Korean and Indian scene, and Minetta Tavern, Balthazar and Thai Diner are downtown classics.
Our citywide list of the best restaurants in NYC covers all five boroughs. For specific cuisines, see our guides to Italian, French, fine dining and steakhouses.
New York's great seafood restaurant, with three Michelin stars.
Eric Ripert's Le Bernardin has set the standard for seafood in New York for decades, with precise, elegant tasting menus and a more casual lounge.
Good to know: The lounge serves a shorter à la carte menu without a reservation.
155 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019
The West Village trattoria everyone wants to get into.
Jody Williams and Rita Sodi's Via Carota serves simple, perfect Italian dishes — cacio e pepe, insalata verde, braised meats — in a rustic corner room.
Good to know: It takes limited reservations; put your name down for a walk-in table.
51 Grove St, New York, NY 10014
Major Food Group's love letter to Italian-American New York.
Torrisi, in the Puck Building, reinvents Italian-American and New York dishes with flair, in a grand, buzzing dining room.
Good to know: Reservations release 30 days ahead and go fast.
275 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
An 1885 chophouse with thousands of clay pipes on the ceiling.
Keens is famous for its mutton chop and prime steaks, served in wood-paneled rooms hung with the clay pipes of former regulars.
Good to know: The pub room is more casual and great for a burger or chop.
72 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018
The pastrami sandwich, since 1888.
Katz's hand-carves its pastrami and corned beef in a cavernous, ticket-system deli made world-famous by 'When Harry Met Sally'. It is not kosher.
Good to know: Don't lose your ticket, and tip the cutter for a taste.
205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Danny Meyer's beloved American restaurant.
Gramercy Tavern's seasonal American cooking, warm service and flower-filled rooms make it one of New York's most dependable great restaurants.
Good to know: The front Tavern room takes walk-ins.
42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003
A modern Korean tasting counter ranked among the world's best.
Junghyun and Ellia Park's Atomix serves a precise, thoughtful Korean tasting menu at a small counter.
Good to know: Book the moment reservations open.
104 E 30th St, New York, NY 10016
Fiery, uncompromising South Indian cooking.
Chef Vijay Kumar's Michelin-starred Semma serves the food of Tamil Nadu with full heat and flavor.
Good to know: Try the gunpowder dosa.
60 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011
Bold provincial Indian dishes at Essex Crossing.
Dhamaka serves 'unapologetic' regional Indian food rarely seen in restaurants, from goat dishes to Rajasthani lamb.
Good to know: Some whole-animal dishes must be pre-ordered.
119 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002
A 1937 tavern turned Keith McNally's Village chophouse.
Minetta Tavern pairs a historic, mural-covered barroom with a bistro menu famous for its Black Label Burger and côte de boeuf.
Good to know: Bar seats are easier to get than tables.
113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
SoHo's grand Parisian brasserie, from breakfast to late.
Balthazar is the classic Manhattan brasserie — seafood towers, steak frites and excellent bread from its bakery next door.
Good to know: Weekday breakfast is the easiest way in.
80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
Thai-American comfort food in a cheerful all-day diner.
From the Uncle Boons team, Thai Diner serves crab fried rice, khao soi and a famous Thai tea babka bun all day.
Good to know: Go for breakfast and order the Thai disco fries.
186 Mott St, New York, NY 10012
Most release tables 14–30 days ahead on Resy or OpenTable, often at a set time of day. Walk in at opening for bar seats, and set notifications for cancellations.
Yes — 18–22% of the pre-tax bill is standard for table service. Use our tip and tax calculator to split the check.