These most famous NYC restaurants you need to visit at least once

What is it? A bustling Chinatown stalwart for Shanghainese favorites, best known citywide for soup dumplings that show up on nearly every “must-eat” list for a reason.

Why we love it: Joe’s is the Chinatown experience you’re picturing: lots of tables, fast pacing, and the comfort of knowing you’re in well-practiced hands. The hero is, undoubtedly, the crab-and-pork soup dumplings. Besides being delicious, they’re novel and fun to eat, and worth experiencing at the place that taught New York how to xiao long bao in the first place. Nothing goes better with Chinese food than a cold Tsingtao beer or three. And as opposed to some other Chinatown spots that often appear on lists like this, Joe’s has an actual star dish and space enough to turn tables with some speed, so you won’t wait forever. 

Time Out Tip: Do NOT try to chopstick a soup dumpling into your mouth or eat it whole. You’re gonna hurt yourself and waste precious dumplings. Sit it in your spoon, bite a small hole in the top, sip out the broth, then pop the thing in your mouth. Go mid-afternoon on a weekday for the shortest lines, then wander to Columbus Park or pick up pastries on Mott.

Address: 46 Bowery, New York, NY 10013

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–9:30pm; Fri, Sat 11am–10:30pm; Sun 11am–9:30pm

Expect to pay: ~$12-14/portion of 8 soup dumplings

What is it?: The Grand Central Train Terminal’s seafood institution since 1913.

Why we love it: Downstairs from the commuter churn, the Oyster Bar is a little pocket of living history. Did you know New York’s surrounding waters were once brimming with bivalves? They used to be a staple, hence the place. Today, the oysters are kaput, but the room retains its charm: the long bar, the horseshoe counter, steady service, and a surprisingly large menu of uncomplicated fare. It feels correct to drink a martini and put away a dozen raw. Or some beers and a pan-roasted combo. The board clues you into what’s fresh, but you don’t even need to mess with seafood if that’s not your thing. It’s all about the history around you, the vaulted tile ceilings, brass rails; the swarming nexus of life and time just above your head. There is simply no place like this, period.

Time Out tip: Stroll the Main Concourse, but remember: this place is NOT an attraction; it’s a bustling commuter train station in the center of the world's most densely populated city. Please be aware of your surroundings and don’t make yourself an obstacle.

Address: Lower Level, Grand Central Terminal, 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017

Opening hours: Sun, Mon–Thu 11:30am–9:30pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–10pm

Expect to pay: Prices change and are market-dependent, but a seafood platter hovers around $64 and $30 for a combo pan roast. ~$15-18/cocktail; ~$10/beer; ~$12-16/glass of wine, $~50-600+/bottle

What is it?: Harlem’s most famous soul food dining room, a community anchor since 1962 that’s hosted everyone from neighborhood regulars to U.S. presidents and global icons.

Why we love it: Sylvia’s is, undoubtedly, the most famous restaurant in Harlem. It makes perfect sense why: the room is warm, unpretentious, and low-pressure. All that plus the food is delicious–maybe the best of its kind you’ll find in the city. The cuisine is rooted in the south, but this is New York; Sylvia’s does Sylvia’s. This is a fantastic option for a family as the vibes are relaxed and the food is crowd-pleasing. The must-order is the ribs-and-fried-chicken combo: smoky-sweet barbecue and crisp, salty chicken plus collards and mac. The fried catfish is also great and worth ordering. Keep it classic with iced tea.

Time Out tip: Sit in the main dining room for the full buzz, and go early on a Wednesday or Thursday to avoid the biggest weekend waves. There are also some great bars and places to see music in the neighborhood afterward.

Address: 328 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10027

Opening hours: Sun–Tue 11am–8pm; Wed–Sat 11am–10pm

Expect to pay: ~$30/ribs & fried chicken combo; ~$15-20/cocktail; ~$8/beer; ~$45/bottle of wine

What is it? This is the New York City steakhouse you’re picturing.

Why we love it: Picture a New York City steakhouse. You’re picturing Keens. The room is dark and wood-heavy, with booths, candles, and tons of stuff on the walls. A staff of consummate pros who’ve seen it all will attend to you like they’re reading your mind. The legendary mutton chop is the move: thick, rosy, and fatty–the house signature. Pair it with a whiskey rocks from their deep list or a martini because they do indeed make a good one. If you’re not into mutton, the porterhouse for two or three is the thing, no question. Get some creamed spinach and mashed potatoes, too. Yes, Keen’s is a higher price point. You’re paying as much for the chops as you are for the chophouse. But if you’re in the market, you won’t leave disappointed. 

Time Out tip: Reserve ahead, especially Thursday through Saturday. Ask for a quieter table upstairs if you want to talk. Pre-dinner, browse books at the Midtown stacks of the New York Public Library (Schwarzman) or do a lap around Bryant Park.

Address: 72 W 36th St, New York, NY 10018

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:45am–9pm; Fri–Sat 11:45am–10pm; Sun 11:45am–9pm

Expect to pay: ~$73/mutton chop; ~$143/porterhouse for two; ~$17-20/sides; ~$19/cocktail; ~$13-19/glass of wine

What is it? A sit-down extension of the famous appetizing store, opened in 2014 as a place to actually sit and comfortably dine on smoked fish.

Why we love it: While Russ & Daughters’ appetizing store has been around since 1914, you’ve gotta take the food back to wherever you’re staying or dine al fresco. If you’re cool with that, go for it. But if you want to sit down, The Cafe is your destination. The room is beautifully designed; bright and spotless and stylized to a T, paying homage to the generations of both ownership and patronage. If you’re seeking the cuisine’s epitome, you can’t do better than a platter of various smoked fishes and salads and dressings (red onion, capers, dill, etc) with options for bagel varietals and some different cream cheeses. If you want something warm, there are latkes, soups, and expertly-cooked eggs.

Time Out tip: Go on a weekday morning and grab a table right away; weekends are a wait. Sit near the front windows if you like people-watching. After, hit  the Tenement Museum or wander Orchard and Essex for shopping.

Address: 127 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 8:30am–2:30pm; Fri–Sun 8:30am–3:30pm

Expect to pay: ~$95-120/platter (serves 4); ~$22-24/bagel & smoked fish; ~$8–9/beer; ~$15/cocktail

What is it? An unfussy lunch counter serving mostly Puerto Rican and Dominican fritura that Anthony Bourdain once called “the center of the pork universe.” 

Why we love it: This place is a lunch counter so straightforward that the uninitiated might be a little overwhelmed by options and sounds and smells. But just think of this as NYC’s equivalent to the beloved roadside BBQ joint common across the South and Midwest, i.e., protein prepared to perfection using traditional cooking methods, with sides that add contrast and/or dimension. You can’t go wrong on the menu but do NOT miss the star attraction: chicharonnes–fatty, crunchy, tender fried hunks of pork. Even in the Bronx, places like this have become something of a rarity. 188 tells its own very New York City tale that, for many, is the central culinary narrative. Trust us: this is a story you really want to hear and won’t soon forget. 

Time Out tip: This is lunch. Stand and eat, then wander Arthur Avenue’s bakeries and specialty shops nearby. If you’re subwaying in, make it a half-day and do the Bronx Zoo or Botanical Garden afterward. If you’re driving, one of NYC’s loveliest, under-appreciated attractions, Wave Hill, is a 20-minute jaunt away.

Address: 158 E 188th St, Bronx, NY 10468

Opening hours: Daily 9am–11pm

Expect to pay: ~$10-20/full meal

What is it? A sit-down institution for coal-fired, no-nonsense New York-style whole pies. 

Why we love it: There is a ton of noise about pizza these days, but the secret to the perfect pie is that there’s no secret. NYC pizza is no more and no less than a thin, slightly charred yet chewy crust, tomato sauce that balances acid with sweetness, and a thin spread of low-moisture mozzarella. Everything else is mutable, including oregano. Good ingredients, simplicity, and consistency–that’s it. And that’s precisely what John’s has been about for nearly a century. It feels like an unpretentious family business because that’s exactly what it is. Is it the best? Which piece of art in the Uffizi is the best? There is a frankly embarrassing amount of hype surrounding NYC places belaboring a product that isn’t improved by overcomplication. Ignore the tryhards and hipsters that grow their own heritage oregano, whispered with ethically time-traveled air from pre-Risorgimento Sicily. Want a slice? Find a place with 1970s orange and yellow molded plastic booths and you’ll be happy. If you want to sit down with a whole pie, John’s makes the platonic ideal.

Time Out tip: Early dinner (around 5pm) is the move; weekends are a zoo. Go classic: do one plain pie and one with toppings. DO NOT eat the pizza the second it lands or you’ll burn the shit out of your mouth. Give it a minute to cool off, then FOLD the slice. Going at a horizontal, flat slice of pizza makes about as much sense as sipping gumbo through a straw or eating ribs with chopsticks.

Address: 278 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–10pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–11pm; Sun 11:30am–10pm

Expect to pay: ~$22/14" pie; ~$25/16" pie

What is it? A storied saloon for burgers and martinis, with lore that includes Johnny Mercer writing “One for My Baby” here and Frank Sinatra holding court at a favorite table.

Why we love it: We’re talking about the Third Ave, original P.J. Clark's–one of NYC’s oldest food and beverage establishments. It still feels great to be in here, familiar even to those who’ve never set foot inside before. The friendly staff of pros can handle both pre-theater tourists and old salts. The star is the bacon cheeseburger, which is a bacon cheeseburger. It’s juicy, properly salted, with no unnecessary cleverness. It’s not smashed or stuffed, just very good, hitting that sweet spot between bar food and legitimate craft. The Country Chicken Pot Pie is also a standout with a salty, flaky cheddar cheese crust. Order a beer or a Manhattan (they handle classic cocktails very well) and soak the place up. It’s a higher price point than your neighborhood dive, but think of it almost like visiting a New York City tavern museum.

Time Out tip: Try for a booth, and go late afternoon when Midtown briefly exhales. Pre-game with a walk through MoMA or along Fifth Avenue, then come back here to eat like you’re in an old movie.

Address: 915 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10022

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 11:30am–12am; Sun, Mon 11:30am–11pm

Expect to pay: ~$25/bacon cheeseburger; ~$32/chicken pot pie; ~$21-24/cocktail; ~$8-10/beer; ~$14-16/glass of wine, ~$50-155/bottle of wine

What is it? Midtown’s three Michelin-star seafood institution—one of the finest restaurants in the world, full stop.

Why we love it: Plenty of famous rooms in New York coast on mythology; this one keeps earning its reputation. Year after year, Le Bernardin stays focused: impeccably-sourced ingredients, thoughtful preparations that prize ingredients over the chef’s ego; a trademark progression from the immaculately raw to perfectly cooked. This is food as philosophy as food. Three Michelin stars mean service on an entirely different level, transforming a meal into an experience. There is a good reason why this place’s name rings out. Yes, it is indeed priced way out of most people’s consideration. But ask anyone who’s saved up for the experience and don’t be surprised when they tell you that it was worth every penny.

Time Out tip: The three-course lunch is the most approachable (affordable) way in; reservations open on the first of each month for the next month. 

Address: 155 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019

Opening hours: Mon–Fri noon–2:30pm; Mon–Thu 5pm–10:30pm; Fri, Sat 5pm–11pm

Expect to pay: ~$137/person prix-fixe lunch; ~$218/person four-course prix-fixe dinner; ~$350/person chef’s tasting; ~$530/person with wine pairing; ~$94/person lounge prix-fixe lunch

What is it? A storied New York restaurant in the Financial District, steeped in dining legend, including claims to the invention of Eggs Benedict, Baked Alaska, Lobster Newburg, and the first instance of a restaurant-served hamburger.

Why we love it: This is a very old-world Manhattan version of luxury that you just can’t manufacture. The place’s history and stately location alone suggest gravitas, but that wouldn’t really matter if the food weren’t great. Delmonico’s bills itself as a steakhouse–the signature ribeye is the star: perfectly seasoned, richly marbled, beautifully temped. But, unlike most other places of that designation, this room trades sultry moodiness for brightness and air. If dad is dead-set on a special steak meal but everyone else is less than enthusiastic, this is an excellent no-compromise option; the pescatarian and vegetarian offerings are given real emphasis. Delmonico’s is not a subtle meal and the prices reflect that. But it’s worth the trip, especially if you’re after a bit of old-world class and glamor.

Time Out Tip: Reserve ahead; prime dinner slots vanish. Sit in the main dining room for the full effect, then walk off the excess down to the waterfront or through Stone Street for a nightcap.

Address: 56 Beaver St, New York, NY 10004

Opening hours: Mon–Fri noon–3pm, 5pm–10pm; Sat 4pm–10pm; Sun 3pm–9pm

Expect to pay: ~$78–89/signature steak; ~$59/royal Eggs Benedict; ~$45-72/entree (non steak); ~$17-18/sides; ~$14/beer; ~$23-28/cocktail

What is it? A beloved Brooklyn-born, family-run institution founded in 1950, famous for cheesecake and the comfort of a classic diner menu.

Why we love it: New York City used to be silly with diners, but that just isn’t the case anymore. Junior’s is nostalgia but, more than that, it’s a meal nobody can argue with. The room has throwback style with that classic Americana flair; it’s a big, bright, usually-bustling place that offers everything you expect, plus barbecue. The capstone of any and every Junior’s meal (and reason why it’s worth a trip), the famous cheesecake is downright impossible to resist: dense, rich, tangy, sweet, simple, and offered in a delightful number of varietals, including apple crumb, red velvet, and carrot cake. There are a couple of other Junior’s locations, but they’re in decidedly more hectic parts of the city. If you’re staying in or taking a trip to Brooklyn, this is a charming, easily understood place to hit for a casual, late dinner and a destination for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Time Out tip: Sit in a booth if you’re staying awhile. Go mid-afternoon when the post-lunch rush fades. Before/after, walk through Brooklyn Commons or catch a show at BAM or Brooklyn Paramount.

Address: 386 Flatbush Ave Ext, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 7am–10pm; Thu 7am–11pm; Fri, Sat 7am–midnight; Sun: 7am–10pm

Expect to pay: ~$14-40/entree; ~$10/slice of cheesecake

What is it? The Upper West Side’s “Sturgeon King,” a brunch-and-lunch institution for smoked fish, eggs, and continuity with old New York.

Why we love it: There was a time when this style of establishment serving this type of food was ubiquitous in New York City. That’s changed. Now, only a few places are dishing out this incredibly delicious fare in a room that feels so quintessentially New York. Compact, low-pressure, a little hectic, with quick, efficient service–it’s not trying to sell you a vibe or curate an identity. This isn’t haute cuisine, it’s the food of diaspora and cultural pride that you can bet rings a nostalgic bell for more than a few of your favorite actors, writers, directors, etc. Neighborhood regulars and families still eat here if that tells you anything. The signature order is sturgeon with eggs, which is smoky and salty and rich, hitting many of the same notes as your bacon-and-eggs breakfast but without the greasiness. Add coffee, a crossword puzzle, put away your phone, and lean into a small version of time travel. 

Time Out tip: Latkes are the off-menu special. Go early on a weekend to beat the line or during the week to avoid it; sit at the counter if you’re solo. After, take a long walk in Central Park or browse the neighborhood’s bookstores and museums–the Museum of Natural History is only a 15-minute walk.

Address: 541 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 8:30am–4pm; Sat–Sun 8:30am–5pm

Expect to pay: ~$27/sturgeon with eggs; ~$49-175/smoked fish platter; ~$11-30/sandwich

What is it? A storied Village room (open since 1937) that’s been worn in by writers and artists over the decades, now famously drawing burger pilgrims.

Why we love it: Minetta Tavern feels like the guardian of a certain Downtown sensibility; while almost everything else in the neighborhood churns, it stands pat. The place has the red-leather booths and checkerboard floors and caricature-covered walls of a bygone time, but it’s still hip as ever. For many, the $38 Black Label Burger is the draw. It’s very good, but only if you’re into a brioche bun, caramelized onions, and don’t care about cheese. Otherwise, the rest of the menu of mostly French bistro fare is hit after hit–the roasted bone marrow is rich and savory, and the duck breast with sour cherries is sweet/smoky and perfectly cooked. The bar program here is also very good, so you can order cocktails with confidence. It’s tough to get a res here, so don’t even think about walking in unless you’re solo. And it ain’t cheap–you’re paying for the room as much as the food. But few places deliver this particular combination of Village mythology and genuinely excellent execution.

Time Out Tip: A Reservation is a must, especially on weekends. Go for a late lunch or early dinner. Once you arrive, you’ll realize why any suggestion for post-dinner activity is unnecessary. 

Address: 113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 5pm–midnight; Wed–Fri noon–3:30pm, 5pm–midnight; Sat, Sun 11am–3:30pm, 5pm–midnight

Expect to pay: ~$38/Black Label Burger; ~$23-34/appetizer; ~$33–189/entree; ~$14-18/side; ~$23/cocktail; ~$14-15/beer; ~$19-34/glass of wine, ~$72-580/bottle of wine

What is it? An Arthur Avenue restaurant preserving New York’s proud Italian-American culinary traditions.

Why we love it: Ask any New Yorker and they’ll tell you: Manhattan’s Little Italy is a shadow of its former self–what you’re after is over on Arthur Avenue up in The Bronx. At multi-generation, family-run Mario’s, they’ve traded in red-checkered tablecloths and candles on wine bottles, but make no mistake: this is the quintessential red-sauce, melted cheese, spaghetti and scaloppini Italian-American comfort food of your dreams. And unlike some other old-school places elsewhere in the city that coast on reputation and atmosphere, the food here is excellent. This is the place to order your favorite classic and pair it with a glass of red. Round it all out with cannoli and espresso or get the check and let the mom-and-pop shops on the avenue do the rest.

Time Out tip: This is a treat after the Bronx Botanical Garden or Zoo. Go early on a Friday or Saturday, then do Italian bakeries and specialty shops.

Address: 2342 Arthur Ave, Bronx, NY 10458

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 11:30am–9pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–10pm; Sun 11:30am–9pm

Expect to pay: ~$14-30/appetizer; ~$19-42/mains

What is it? A revived Flatiron lunch counter that retains what was good about the old-school without being beholden to it.

Why we love it: S&P pulls off a feat I wish others would imitate: a subtle yet comprehensive overhaul that scrupulously honors while thoughtfully improving upon a beloved institution. Owned by the same people behind Court Street Grocers–a micro-chain serving some of the city’s most consistently craveable sandwiches—S&P is CSG’s first-cousin once or twice-removed; you can sense shared DNA, but there’s no mistaking the direct predecessor. The ratty-stool counter seating, the steady pace, the smell of griddled rye: it all feels like Manhattan remembering itself—you can practically see Frank O’Hara scribbling away at the counter. As before, the tuna melt shines bright: properly gooey and salty and crunchy. But the place’s nouveau offerings harmonize beautifully. The CSG-imported Tuna Berry is absolutely delicious, as is the signature bacon-egg-and-cheese variant, Lil Shonda. Get an egg cream if you want the full experience.

Time Out tip: Sit at the counter if you’re solo or with one other person. Go mid-morning or post lunch-hour when it’s less of a scrum. Before/after, poke around nearby bookstores and shops.

Address: 174 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm; Sat, Sun 9am–5pm

Expect to pay: ~$17/tuna melt; ~$19/pastrami on rye; ~$19/Lil Shonda; $6/egg cream

What is it?: A counter-service Jamaican bakery up near the border of Yonkers, where the five boroughs end.

Why we love it: Okay, this place isn’t technically a restaurant, but it’s been a mainstay for the people of its community for 50+ years, and once you experience it, you’re gonna crave it. The patties are what you’re here for: baked hand-pies with a spice-fortified flaky yellow crust stuffed with spicy, warming filling. They come in vegetarian, chicken, or beef, with the latter being the standard. Show up to a party or family function with a couple of dozen of these, and you’re gonna be popular. If you want to really do it like the locals, wrap your patty in fluffy, sweet coco bread. And if you’re trying to split the difference, the meatloaf is basically patty filling in sealed coco bread, but, for our money, the patty is the star. Kingston Tropical Bakery is a bakery–you can’t eat in here. You’ve gotta take your patties to go, but so many places in New York just assume you’re on your way somewhere; this isn’t unusual. If it’s nice out, Van Cortlandt Park is right there. This is what New York City feels like, smells like, sounds like.

Time Out tip: Cash only. Grab a bun and cheese if they have, and don’t sleep on the fridge of peanut punch, carrot juice, and ginger beer for the walk back to the train.

Address: 4000 White Plains Rd, Bronx, NY 10466

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9:30am–6:30pm; Sat 9:30am–7pm; Sun 10am–4pm

Expect to pay: $3.50/patty; $38/dozen patties

What is it?: A downtown institution where the room buzzes with dates, regulars, and first-timers trying to act like they’ve been coming here for years.

Why we love it: Raoul’s is the prototype for downtown’s chic dining scene, performing that very New York act of feeling special without actually performing for you. The place has been doing more or less the exact same thing for 50 years, so they’ve seen it all and are neither impressed by nor trying to impress anyone. The dining room is moody, candlelit, and tight, humming with that intimacy and buzz you imagine a place in SoHo ought to have, even though nowadays the clientele is more bourgeois than bohemian. Luckily, Raoul’s is agnostic to this and just keeps on going. The food (technically French Alsatian) is and has always been very good–classic bistro comfort with a special little extra something, especially anything au poivre–especially the burger, which has been lauded and coveted since way back and can’t be found anywhere else.   

Time Out tip: If you want the Burger au Poivre, aim for weekend brunch right at open, or try your luck at the bar at dinner. You need a res.

Address: 180 Prince St, New York, NY 10012

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5pm–11pm; Sat, Sun 11am–3pm, 5pm–11pm

Expect to pay: $32/burger au poivre (brunch); $64/steak au poivre; $22-36/entrée

What is it?: A century-old, kosher knish shop.

Why we love it: Many a hungry pedestrian on their way to wait in line for a different New York City institution will walk right past Yonah Schimmel—a big mistake. A knish is a handheld pocket of baked or fried potato dough, traditionally stuffed with potato or kasha (a grain), but now with all sorts of fillings, including sweet dessert varieties. The things are filling, inexpensive, and totally delicious–smothered in mustard and put away still hot. You can get a couple of other old-world favorites here, including latkes, borscht, and cherry lime Ricky. The storefront looks like it could be a Beastie Boys album cover. The room is small and straightforward, which is fine and you can eat standing at the counter if that’s your pleasure. It’s simple, dependable, and as New York as it gets.

Time Out tip: Eat one right away while the crust is still warm, then take the rest to go.

Address: 137 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002

Opening hours: Daily 10:30am–6pm

Expect to pay: $5.50/savory knish; $6.50/sweet knish