Last Updated on June 27, 2026 by George Pavlopoulos
I’m probably not the right person to write a list of the best restaurants in New York. First of all, I don’t live in the city, so it would have been odd (to say the least) to rank its restaurants. Second, the city is huge, and one would need literally years to even glimpse its scene. What I can do, though, is share the places I actually ate at in New York and enjoyed.
Within a year, I have spent more than five weeks in town, so this will be a selection of places where I had a proper lunch or a quick bite before continuing to explore New York. That said, I didn’t chase addresses, and I mostly found these places while strolling around the city. Therefore, it was luck, coincidence, or curiosity that brought me to these spots (from bagels to basement restaurants), and that’s why I felt they fit so well into my route.
So, here are the places I ate at in New York and would recommend.
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A quick note about eating in New York
Eating in New York is pricey. Even though a place can feel casual, not fancy, and down-to-earth, the final price will probably impress you. Therefore, when I write that a restaurant was reasonably priced, it means it was reasonably priced by New York’s standards, not necessarily affordable in the European sense.
The featured places to eat in New York aren’t luxurious. On the contrary, these are relaxed meals, lunches, bagels, bowls, dumplings, and definitely served me well on my long days out and about. For me, a place that fits the moment and offers tasty food was enough to add it to this tiny NYC food guide.
Every property below links to Google Maps so you can save them for your upcoming NYC trip.
Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company: a salmon bagel for Washington Square Park
For me, Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company was my favorite bagel stop. Apart from the delicious salmon bagel that I got, I also enjoyed the place where I ate it. Instead of staying inside, I took away the bagel and had lunch at the nearby Washington Square Park. I did that twice on sunny days in NY, and it felt so good to eat at the park with lots of people hanging out.
As you can see in the photo, the bagel was generous and filling, as pretty much everything in New York is. This proper-sized bagel kept me going for hours, and for somebody always hungry like me, it was pretty satisfying to know there was enough food to have. Getting a delicious bagel ($16-18) in a paper bag and taking the short walk to the park felt very everyday to me and reinforced my belief that not every meal has to be pre-planned.
Best for: A classic New York bagel moment, especially if you happen to be around Greenwich Village or Washington Square and want to just slow down among other people.
Chito Gvrito: Georgian food that is worth the expense
Chito Gvrito instantly became one of my favorite meals in New York. Ever since I traveled to Tbilisi, Georgia, for my first (awkward) blogging trip, I have fallen in love with Georgian food. Whenever I go, I look for khachapuri and khinkali (Georgian dumplings). The Adjaruli Khachapuri is a Georgian bread in a boat-shaped style filled with cheese, butter, and egg.
So, when I saw that Georgian restaurant in midtown New York, I knew I had to try it. The meal was not cheap by European standards (for 3 people, we paid $150), but in New York it felt moderately priced. We had all three khinkali dishes and the khachapuri, plus some house wine. The sauces were so well paired with the khinkali, and the food was truly memorable for us. I would happily eat there again.
Best for: a proper sit-down meal, and great for sharing plates.
Streecha: Ukrainian food in a basement with a big heart
Streecha was one of my favorite places for lunch in New York, and despite its simple style, it felt really down-to-earth. Here, you don’t expect a polished restaurant with fancy decor: Streecha is located in a basement, it’s less shiny, and the dishes are served on paper plates.
Exactly like with Georgian cuisine, a trip to Kyiv a couple of years ago made me a big fan of the local food. I couldn’t wait to taste varenyky, the Ukrainian dumplings, and another dish with egg and cheese, the name of which I unfortunately fail to remember. It was full of Ukrainian expats and NY locals, and the single-room restaurant felt like a big living room where friends had gathered to eat.
I loved the food at Streecha very much, but what made it even more special was the limited ambiance and the strong sense of a place that knows what it offers and how good it is.
Best for: Ukrainian comfort food and a place with actual character.
Le Botaniste: a plant-based lunch that I enjoyed
If the previous meals sound too heavy, here’s where I ate a lighter yet filling lunch in New York. Le Botaniste has a few locations in NYC, but I visited the one near Lexington Avenue. Its food is organic and plant-based, with colorful, healthy bowls. While you can make your own bowl, there are also ready-made recipes prepared in front of your eyes.
Easy, healthy, and casual, the food at Le Botaniste is really enjoyable, and the guys running it are full of good vibes. I don’t want to turn this into a wellness recommendation, because as you’ve already read, that’s not me. However, the vegetable-focused meals were delicious, and I didn’t sacrifice pleasure by choosing to eat there.
Best for: a light lunch for vegetarians or vegans, or when you need a break from heavy food.
Lella Alimentari: an easy-going Italian stop in Williamsburg
This is probably my favorite place to eat in New York (featured also in the cover photo), and I would love to return one day. In a cozy, relaxed atmosphere with both Italian and NY vibes, the Italian place in the corner felt like home. I had a salad with buffalo mozzarella and beetroot, and also a piadina (the Italian flatbread) with cheese and prosciutto.
Sometimes you just need a place that feels pleasant, serves good food, and lets you sit for a while. At Lella Alimentari, I found exactly that, and the fact that you share tables with others creates an even warmer atmosphere, especially since New Yorkers are naturally inclined toward small talk.
If you find yourself in Williamsburg and want something cozy, Italian, and not too demanding, keep Lella Alimentary in mind.
Best for: a relaxed Williamsburg lunch with Italian-style food.
Barking Dog in Hell’s Kitchen: a meal before Broadway
I chose to eat at Barking Dog in Hell’s Kitchen because I wanted to be close to the Eugene O’Neill Theater, where I watched The Book of Mormon.
This is more or less how I would frame it: a tasty restaurant that’s ideal before or after a Broadway play, but not a place you’ll cross the city to visit.
The food was good, but what made it even more special was how friendly and polite the people working were. In general, the service impressed me in New York. I had the five-cheese macaroni served in a small pan and a glass of wine, and that’s easily $40 without tip.
The food was tasty, probably not my very favorite on this list, but Barking Dog served its purpose for me: I needed a relaxed place before a Broadway play where I could unwind in a nice environment and have a nice sit-down meal. Comfortable location, good quality food, and close to the Broadway theater: I couldn’t ask for more.
Best for: pre-theater or post-theater meal close to Broadway.
Broad Nosh Bagels in the Upper West Side
Broad Nosh on West 86th Street and Broadway was the second bagel place I enjoyed eating in New York. This time I didn’t take the bagel to the park, even though Central Park isn’t that far away: it was actually a great stop after riding for the best part of the day on a rented bike, but I needed an almost obligatory bite to keep going.
I ordered one of their signature bagels with egg, avocado, and other fillings, and it was equally tasty and filling. The price was on par with Brooklyn Bagels ($15), and what was nice in an overly digitalized world was the handwritten order I got before paying. That’s actually the ticket to receive your bagel when it’s ready at Broad Nosh. There are a few chairs outside the shop, so I could unwind a bit there to enjoy my bagel before getting another bike towards Harlem this time.
Best for: a quick bite or breakfast if you’re in the Upper West Side.
Which place would I return to first if I were to eat in New York?
It’s pretty hard to reply to that, but if I had to choose only one place from this list, this would probably be Lella Alimentari. What stayed with me was the cozy atmosphere, the Italian vibe mingled with the local one, and the tasty, reasonably priced food. You got that right: I judge more the context than the food itself, but that’s how I perceive food when I’m traveling.
For a classic New York food moment, I’d choose a bagel from Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company and take it to go to enjoy at Washington Park. This is unbeatable as a moment and vibe from one of my favorite NYC parks.
For a sit-down meal or lunch, I’d go to Chito Gvrito, especially if I were on this side of town. However, I’d also consider walking several blocks across the city to try their delicious dishes again.
My light lunch would be, hands down, at Le Botaniste because the food exceeded my expectations and the staff contributed to the experience. The bowls are even tastier than they look, so even if you’re not a vegetarian, you should give them a try.
For the most authentic experience with Eastern European flavors, I’d go to Streecha. While Chito Gvrito serves a similar cuisine, its interior is more properly designed, which might be too much for some travelers. Streecha is the most down-to-earth restaurant on this list and a unique experience by itself.
Lastly, before or after Broadway, I’d go to Barking Dog. It’s a great place to be close to the theaters, and the food is solid. I enjoyed eating there, and it made my life easier.
A simple way to use this list when deciding where to eat in New York
I often build food lists this way during my journeys. I don’t rank restaurants from top to bottom; I think of them as a set of situations. When I travel, I rarely ask what the best restaurant in town is. I’m closer to what fits the day or what’s next to do. Yes, budget is always a thing; however, New York is one of the cities where you’ll exceed your daily food budget anyway.
That being said, I’d use this food list like this:
- For a bagel near Washington Square Park, go to Brooklyn Bagel.
- If you are in the Upper West Side and need a quick bite, Broad Nosh Bagels is a good option for breakfast or bagels.
- For Georgian food or a proper sit-down meal, choose Chito Gvrito.
- On the other hand, for a unique ambiance and dumplings, Streecha is the place to visit.
- In Williamsburg, I’d stop at Lella Alimentari for both the food and coziness of the place.
- And for a Broadway night, Barking Dog is truly convenient and easy-going.
Where to Eat in New York: Final Thoughts
As you’ve read in this short New York food guide, my favorite restaurants were more on the easy-going side and definitely felt like a good fit for the occasion. I kept it rather simple: a salmon bagel at the park, dumplings in a Ukrainian basement, Georgian cuisine when I needed to really relax, a plant-based bowl for something lighter, a quiet lunch in Williamsburg, and a simple meal before Broadway.
None of these would probably make it into an article about the best restaurants in New York. And that’s not because of their food, which I found delicious, but mainly because of the context and the purpose they serve. A list of the best restaurants would also require either focused visits or multi-year stays in the city. For me, it was more of a way to integrate the food experience with exploring the stunning city of New York.
I ate well in those restaurants and felt good with my choices because they helped me continue with my day and gave me enough energy. For me, especially when I travel, this is usually more than enough.
More about New York: NYC guide, A Knicks game at MSG, MoMA artworks, Ellis Island, Manhattan Facts, Whitney Biennial Report
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