Nearly three years after COVID forced New York City to shut its doors, many of the best local restaurants feel like they’re back to their old selves. Longtime favorites, like Italian charmer Via Carota or pizza destination Lucali, have been reopened and improved, while new genres are emerging. Consider a plate of Bangkok street food at Ayada, the Elmhurst staple that was among the first to open in town with a distinctly urban flavor, or the wildly spiced Dhamaka in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood.
In a city that has an endless supply of dining options, it’s hard to stand out from the crowd, but many local restaurants manage just that. One example is the ramen at E.A.K in the Theater District, which opened during the pandemic but survived with a menu that features fatty pork-based tonkotsu and soy-based shoyu ramen with wonderfully firm noodles.
Similarly, Motorino offers reliably good thin-crusted slightly charred coal-oven pizza. It’s a great option for family meals, date night or even a quick lunch with coworkers.
Other local favorites include the pizza at Emily (Edible Brooklyn), which is surprisingly tasty considering it’s made by an amateur chef, the soup dumplings at Win Son (Taiwanese American, Chinatown), which have become a must-order for those with big groups, or the brunches at Bubby’s in Tribeca (which serve up buttery from-scratch pancakes topped with everything from Nutella & mixed berries to caramelized bananas & toasted walnuts).
And don’t forget to stop by Dominique Ansel Bakery in the South Village for the famous cronut, or at Friend of a Farmer in the West Village for seasonal fare that’s good for your body and soul. Use Restaurant Guru to easily discover all the local restaurants and bars in your area, including their reviews, ratings and locations using an integrated map. best local restaurants near me