NYC RESTAURANT RECS 2021
Below is an ongoing list of Restaurants/Rooftops/Bars/Cafes/Dessert Shops we have featured on our social media. Contact us to be featured.
Please note: Hosted meals may have been given as part of this list however all recommendations are based on our honest opinion/experience.
MANHATTAN
Adoro Lei 827 Hudson St // W Village // Pizzeria with group dining option
Alachi Masala 488 Amsterdam // UWS // Desi food
Ali Mama 89A Bayard Street // Chinatown // Cafe, Japanese desserts, mochi donuts, teas
Amma 246 E 51st St // Midtown East // Indian
Angelina Bakery 575 8th Ave // Midtown West // Italian bakeshop offering breakfast pastries, cannoli, tarts & cakes, plus coffee
Angelina Paris 1050 6th Ave // Bryant Park // French cafe originated in Paris
Apotheke 9 Doyers St // Chinatown // Speakeasy
Ascent Lounge 10 Columbus Circle // Columbus Circle // Bar with Central Park views
Awesum Dim Sum 160 E 23rd // Flatiron // Made to order Dim Sum
Bandits 44 Bedford St // LES // Diner food & drinks in 70’s motif
Baked by Melissa Several locations // Bite-sized cupcakes
Barbounia 250 Park Avenue S // Gramercy // Mediterranean
Baya Bar 232 Mulberry // LES // Acai bowls
Berimbau 43 Carmine St // LES // Brazilian
Beyond Sushi 134 W 37 St // Midtown & several other locations // Vegan
BG at Bergdorf 754 5th Avenue // Midtown // Fancy tea on 7th floor of Bergdorf
Biao Sugar 1271 Broadway // K-Town // Boba tea that comes in cute “devil eggs”
Bibble & Sip 253 W 51st St // Midtown West // Cute macarons and large cream puffs
Big Gay Ice Cream Several locations // Try the Salty Pimp
Black Tap Craft Beers & Burgers 529 Broome St // Soho // Creative gourmet burgers & shakes
Bohemian 57 Great Jones St // Bowery // Exclusive (referral-only) East Village Japanese eatery hidden behind a butcher shop
Boucherie Several locations // French
Brooklyn Kolache 185 Bleecker // Village // Czech pastries with both sweet & savory fillings served in a casual space
The Campbell Bar 15 Vanderbilt // Grand Central Station // Gossip girl bar
Cantina Rooftop 605 W 48th St // Midtown West // Mexican rooftop
The Cauldron 47 Stone St // Financial District // Whimsical bar
Cha Cha Matcha 1148 Broadway // Nomad // Matcha flavor drinks
Chip City NYC 298 Bleecker St // West Village & several other locations // Gourmet cookies with 4 different options rotated weekly
Chloe’s Fruit 25 E 17th // Flatiron // All natural ice cream
Chocolate Dip 101 MacDougal St // Greenwich Village // Belgian chocolate fountain
City Cakes 155 W 18th St // Chelsea // Bakery & home of the half pound cookie
Coco Several locations // Boba
Davelle 102 Suffolk // LES // Japanese toast
Dear Irving Gramercy 55 Irving // Gramercy // Speakeasy
De Capo 322 Columbus // Columbus Circle // Coffee shop by day & bar by night
Devocion 25 E 20th // Flatiron // Colombian Coffee
Dim Sum Go Go 5 E Broadway // Chinatown // Dim Sum
Double Zero 65 2nd Avenue // Greenwich Village // Vegan pizzeria
The Dough Club 119 Baxter St // Chinatown // Modern Japanese bakery
Dough Doughnuts 14 W 19th St // Flatiron // Artisan doughnuts
Doughnut Project 10 Morton St // LES // Small batch handmade donuts that sell out daily
Eat Pretty 501 1/2 E 83rd St // Upper East Side // Cute pink cafe that serves coffee, hot chocolate, pastries, sandwiches & more
e’s Bar 511 Amsterdam Ave // Upper West Side // Pub with rotating drink specials, board games & S’mores
Electric Lemon 33 Hudson Yards // Hudson Yards // Rooftop restaurant
Fiftylan Several locations // Taiwanese boba
Fig & Olive Several locations // Mediterranean
Flip Sigi 131 7th Avenue // West Village // Filipino-style tacos, burritos & sandwiches, plus beer, wine & punch
Frenchette Bakery 200 Church St // Tribeca // Hidden bakery
Fresh & Co Several locations // Fresh salad and sandwiches
Fresh Canes NYC 87 Baxter Street // Chinatown // Fresh pressed sugar cane juice
Glass Ceiling 1204 Broadway // Nomad // New rooftop
Gitano Garden of Love 76 Varick St // Soho // Tulum theme bar
Golden Unicorn 18 E Broadway // Chinatown // Cantonese mainstay ferrying a wide variety of dim sum via fast-moving carts
Good Thanks 131 Orchard St // LES // Try the blue acai bowl
Gong Cha Several locations // Boba
Grace Street 17 W 32nd // Koreatown // Asian desserts
Halal Guys 53rd & Sixth Ave // Midtown // Halal Cart
Harlem Shake 100 W 124th St / Harlem // Casual spot for burgers, shakes & more in a modern, dinerlike setting with retro Harlem photos
The Hideout 42 Rivington // LES // Chai bar
The Horny Ram 951 2nd Avenue // Midtown East // Farm-to-table bistro & brunch spot
Hummus & Pita Co. Several locations // Try the chickpea chiller
I’Milky 992 6th Ave // Koreatown // Boba
Insomnia Cookies Several locations // Specializes in delivering warm, delicious cookies right to your door - daily until 3 AM
Itaewon Pocha 28 W 32nd // Koreatown // Korean casual
Jacob’s Pickles 509 Amsterdam Ave // Upper West Side // Southern comfort food
Jack’s Wife Freida 224 Lafayette St // Soho (more locations) // A lively all-day bistro executing American-Mediterranean cooking
Jell & Chill 110 E 7th S // Lower East Side // Dessert shop specializing in bingfen
Jongro Hotdog 33 W 32nd // Koreatown // Korean hotdogs
Jue Lan Club 49 W 20th St // Flatiron // Modern Chinese
Kabisera 151 Allen St // LEW // Filipino cafe
Katz’s Delicatessen 205 E Houston St // Lower East Side // Legendary no-frills deli serving mile-high sandwiches since 1888
Keki Modern Cakes Several locations // Home of the bouncy cheesecake
Kyuramen 210 E 14th St // Union Square (and more locations) // Ramen bar
Ladurach 731 Lexington Ave // Midtown East // Swiss premium chocolate
Le Botaniste 127 Grand Street // Soho // (and more locations) // Plant based
Le Grande Boucherie Soho & Midtown West locations // Traditional French Restaurant with beautiful ambiance
Liberty Bagels 260 W 35th St // Midtown // Rainbow bagels
Lillies Victorian 13 E 17th // Flatiron // Victorian themed brunch
The Little One 150 E Broadway // LES // Kakigori Japanese shaved ice
Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar 102 North End Ave // Tribeca at Conrad Downtown // Try their poptail
Los Tacos No. 1 75 9th Avenue // Chelsea (and more locations) // Mexican tacos
LouLou 176 8th Ave // Chelsea // French fare with beautiful cocktail glasses
Magnolia Bakery Several locations // Try the banana pudding
Maison Pickle 2315 Broadway // Upper West Side // Retro-chic eatery offering French dip sandwiches, steaks & other American bites & cocktails
Masala King 64 E 34th St // Midtown East // North Indian
Maman Several locations // Parisian bakery & coffee
Maman King 375 Hudson Street // West Village // Cafe & bakery
Margaritaville 560 7th Avenue // Times Square // Tiki bar theme chain restaurant
The Mean Fiddler 266 W 47th // Times Square // Bottomless brunch and dinner
Milk Bar Store Several locations // Try their cereal ice cream and layer cakes
MarieBelle 484 Broome St // Soho // Elegant, chandelier-topped boutique for handcrafted chocolates & sweets & European-style cafe
Mazu 495 3rd Ave // Kips Bay // Szechuan
Merchants Cigar Bar 1125 1st Ave // Midtown East // Cigars, cocktails & American food
Milano Market Westside 2892 Broadway // UWS // Deli sandwiches
Milk & Cream Cereal Bar 159 Mott Street // Chinatown (another location in Jersey City) // Cereal ice cream
Mister Dips 89 South Street // Seaport // Griddle burgers & dairy dips
Mom’s Kitchen 701 9th Ave // Chelsea // Modern comfort food, Bigmouth shakes, adult beverages & all day brunch
North River Lobster Co. Pier 81 // Midtown West // NYC’s only floating lobster shack
NY Willy Wall Hudson River // Viewing platform on the Hudson with $12 cocktails
OakBerry Acai 158 Broadway // Nomad // Acai bowls
Obao Noodle & BBQ Hell’s Kitchen & Midtown East locations // Thai & Vietnam
Oh-K Dog 159A Ludlow // LES // Korean hot dogs
Olio e Più 3 Greenwich Ave // Village // Naples meets NYC at this trattoria with thin-crust pizza, Italian wines & ample sidewalk seating
Peacefood Cafe Uptown & downtown locations // Vegan kitchen & bakery
PHD Terrace 210 W 55th // Midtown West // Rooftop with flower tunnel
Pietro Nolita 174 Elizabeth St // Nolita // Italian in pink jewel box cafe
The Palm Court at The Plaza 768 5th Avenue // Midtown // Afternoon tea & cocktails in iconic digs
Pastry World Bakery Custom cakes like the Birkin bag
Ralph’s Coffee 888 Madison Ave // UES // Coffee by Ralph Lauren
Regina’s Grocery 27 Orchard St // Chinatown // Sandwiches & Italian specialities.
Remi Flower & Coffee 906 2nd Ave // Midtown East // Florist & cafe
RH Rooftop 9 9th Ave // Meatpacking District // Glamorous rooftop restaurant offering American fare amid chandeliers, greenery & skyline views
Sandbar Rooftop 152 W 26th St // Fashion District // Hampton’s inspired rooftop bar
Saravana Bhavan 413 Amsterdam // Upper West Side // Dosa
Serra By Birreria 200 5th Ave // Flatiron // Scenic rooftop setting for elevated Italian cuisine, house brewed ales & high-end imported beer
Shiny Tea 2667 Broadway // UES // Boba
Soft Swerve 85B Allen Street // LES // Asian flavor soft serve
Sona 36 E 20th St // Gramercy // Modern Indian
Sugar Factory 1991 Broadway // Upper West Side // Celebrity endorsed sweets & eatery
Spicy Moon 328 E 6th // W Village // Chinese Szechuan
Spot Dessert Bar 13 St. Marks // (and more locations) // Traditional confections reimagined
Stuffed Ice Cream 139 1st Avenue // East Village // Home of the cruff - glazed donut stuffed with ice cream
Surreal Creamery 538 2nd Ave // Midtown East (and NJ location) Bubble tea ice cream
Sweet Churros 11 W 32nd // Koreatown // Fresh churros and ice cream
Sweet Moment 106 Mott St // Soho// Dessert cafe with signature bingsoos, bottle cakes & teas
Szechuan Gourmet 21 W 39th // Michelin rated szechuan
Taiyaki 119 Baxter Street // Chinatown (more locations in Williamsburg & Queens) // Japanese ice cream
Tao Uptown 42 E 58th // Midtown West // Large Buddha statue in this Pan-Asian restaurant
Tiger Sugar Several locations. The original black sugar boba tea with fresh cream mousse and a unique tiger stripe design
Urban Backyard 180 Mulberry St // LES // Garden theme cupcakes
Venchi 861 Broadway // Flatiron // Ice cream, chocolates and chocolate waterfall
Wafles & Dinges Several locations // Fresh Belgian waffles & ice cream
Wagamama 3 locations // Asian food inspired by the flavors of japan
Watermark Bar Pier 15 // Seaport // Outdoor on the water, try the guzzlebuddy
Whipped Urban Dessert Lab 95 Orchard St // Lower East Side // First oat milk soft serve ice cream in the US. Everything is plant based.
Zazzy’s Pizza 173 Orchard Street // Lower East Side (and new location on 7th Avenue) // Rich variety of pizza and plant-based snacks
16 Handles Several locations // Now serving oatly soft serve
375 Chicken’n Fries 124 Ludlow // LES // Try their hot cheeto chicken burger
48 Lounge 1221 Ave of the Americas // Midtown West // Plush lounge with creative cocktails, upscale American small plates
QUEENS
Coco Several locations // Boba
Eggcelent Souffle 135-15 40th Rd// Flushing // Fluffy pancakes and bubble waffles
Harry Sweets & Snacks 248-6 Union Tpke // Floral Park // Vegetarian indian
LIC Landing 52-10 Center Blvd // LIC // Casual outdoor restaurant with stunning Manhattan views
Little Chef Little Cafe 5-43 48th Ave // Long Island City // Health conscious cafe
M Tea 36-56 Main St // Flushing // Bubble Tea & Dessert in pink cafe.
Noodle Craft 10-39 47th Rd // LIC // Fresh pulled noodles
Oasis Cafe 196-30 Northern Blvd // Flushing // Bakery
Sai Sushi 95-34 Queens Blvd // Rego Park // Sushi
Song Tea 38-21 Main St // Flushing // Fruit tea
Spot Dessert Bar 13 St. Marks // (and more locations) // Traditional confections reimagined
Sweet Cats Cafe 21 Farrington St // Flushing // Pink arcade
Taiyaki 119 Baxter Street Chinatown (more locations in Williamsburg & Queens) // Japanese ice cream
The Gully | Urban Desi Eatery 2545 Steinway St // Astoria // Indian
Paratha Wala 103-09 Metropolitan Ave // Forest Hils // Desi street food
Tiger Sugar Several locations // The original black sugar boba tea with fresh cream mousse and a unique tiger stripe design
Young and Rich 36-19 Prince // Flushing // Kaws themed Chinese
99 Favor Taste Several locations // Chinese hotpot
BROOKLYN
Baoburg 614 Manhattan Ave // Greenpoint // Thai
Brooklyn Kolache 520 Dekalb Ave // Clinton Hill // Czech pastries with both sweet & savory fillings served in a casual space with backyard seating
Harriet’s Rooftop at One Hotel 60 Furman Street // Brooklyn Heights // Rooftop spot for fancy cocktails & choice bites on the roof of 1 Hotel
Sip n Play 471 5th Ave// Park Slope // Board games and food
Taheni 224 4th Ave // Park Slope // Mediterranean
Taiyaki 119 Baxter Street // Chinatown (more locations in Williamsburg & Queens) // Japanese ice cream
BRONX
Addeo’s of the Bronx 1056 Morris Park Ave // Italian
Ivana’s Pizzeria 2373 Arthur Ave // Love their speciality heart shaped pizza in February
NEW JERSEY
Addams Tavern 115 Elm St // Westfield // Addams family theme
Agave Cocina 32 Locust Ave // Wallington // Try their flights
Automat Kitchen 525 Washington // Jersey City // Touchless restaurant
Barrow House (Through the Looking Glass) 1296 Van Houten Ave // Clifton // Sleek farmhouselike space offering New American plates
Baonanas 210 Hudson St // Jersey City // Banana pudding creations
Battello 502 Washington Blvd // Jersey City // Industrial-chic eatery, modern Italian fare, scenic views & a bar
Burgerim 2 Journal Square Plaza // Jersey City // Burgers
Cloud Social 6 W 32nd // Koreatown // Hidden casual rooftop
Coperaco 777 S 3rd St // Harrison // Treehouse theme coffee shop
Dottie’s Chicken Harrison, Jersey City, Nutley // Chicken sandwich delivery
Franklin Social 292 Barrow St // Jersey City // Check out their speakeasy in the attic
Gringo’s 12 Coles St // Jersey City // All you can eat Taco Tuesdays
The Highwood 500 Ave at Port Imperial // Weehawken // NYC views and a rustic yet sophisticated ambiance
Hudson & Co. 3 2nd Ave // Jersey City // Waterfront restaurant
Johnny Tequila’s 586 Raritan Rd // Roselle // Nuevo Latino cuisine with hip-hop vibes
Little Sips 730 Harrison Ave / Harrison // Creative drinks
Mesob 515 Bloomfield // Montclair // Ethiopian
Milk & Cream Cereal Bar 159 Mott Street // Chinatown (another location in Jersey City) // Cereal ice cream
Mochi Mochi 33 W 32nd // Koreatown // Mochi donuts
Mochinut 450 Livingston St, Norwood // Mochi donuts & Kdogs
O’Bagels 600 Washington St // Hoboken // Breakfast bagels with spreads & sandwiches, doled out in snug, low-key digs with a patio
Ohmie’s Way 919 N Wood Ave // Roselle // Coffee & yoga
Porta 195 Newark Ave // Jersey City // Neopolitan pizza with rooftop
Pier 13 Hoboken // Seasonal open-air waterfront beer garden featuring food trucks, water sports & entertainment
Stack Creamery Westwood & Jersey City locations // Create your own ice cream sandwiches with fresh baked cookies
Sugar Tree Cafe 358 Passaic // Nutley // Get your face on a latte
Surreal Creamery 538 2nd Ave // Midtown East (and NJ location) // Bubble tea ice cream
Turning Point Several locations // Brunch
WESTCHESTER
Barne & Noble Kitchen 680 White Plains Rd // Scarsdale // Upscale casual American restaurant
Blue Hill at Stone Barns Tarrytown // Farm to table
Chocolate Works 450 Central Park Ave // Scarsdale // Unique chocolate molds
Go Greenly 1109 Central Park Ave // Scarsdale // Boba
Exit 4 Food Hall 153 E Main St // Mt Kisco // Try the mac n’ cheese donut
Smallcakes 749 Central Park Ave // Scarsdale // Bakery
CONNECTICUT
Elm Street Diner 463 Elm Street // Stamford // Home of the waffle tower and cake shake
The Lila Rose 121 Towne St // Stamford // Pink cafe with beautiful cocktail glasses and a Gucci bag raffle every Tuesday night