Everyone has their personal favorites for the best restaurants in NYC. Having lived in Manhattan for several years, I’ve certainly created quite a list of my faves. But, there are a select few that I put on my absolute must-go for anyone visiting with limited time. So when I had the chance to visit New York over Thanksgiving, I made it a priority to hit all my favorite spots. So, if you were to ask me where to go with limited time in New York, I would say these restaurants the best of the best in Manhattan.
Balthazar
SoHo | www.balthazarny.com
French cuisine in a lively atmosphere. You almost feel as if you’re in a bustling Parisian café. Be sure to get the moules frites, not quite like the ones you might find in Brussels, but they are damn good!
Ippudo
East Village | www.ippudony.com
Three words come to mind when I think of my favorite ramen house Ippudo: worth the wait – because you will in fact have to wait. But don’t worry, you can put your name in and then head over to a nearby bar. When your table is ready, they call you. Every dish is insanely good so there are not wrong choices here!
Lure Fishbar
SoHo | www.lurefishbar.com
Seafood lovers will not want to miss this subterranean seafood haven in Soho. The entire restaurant is decorated as if you were inside an actual yacht. They have a killer happy hour and the fish is fresh. Go. You won’t be disappointed!
Beauty & Essex
Lower East Side | www.beautyandessex.com
This is one of those “where the beautiful people eat” restaurants. And I love it. Not to mention the entrance is hidden behind a pawn shop so the vibe is uber cool from the get go. The food is unbelievable. The brunch scene is fun and the dinner scene is dimly lit with a lounge feel. Be sure to get the lobster tacos. They are to die for!
Buddakan
Meatpacking District | www.buddakannyc.com
When I lived in New York, this was my go-to restaurant that I’d take guests who came to visit. It is, in my opinion, the absolute must. Sex and the City fans will recognize it from the movie as the location of Carrie’s rehearsal dinner. Buddakan is the “sceney-ist” restaurant on this list. Be sure to go late night, have drinks in the lively bar, order edamame dumplings and the Dungeness crab sticky rice, and lots of cocktails and wine.
Per Se
Columbus Circle | www.thomaskeller.com
This is a bit of a reach because it is so expensive but if you do have the dough to blow, then there is no where else in the city, in fact the world, where you can have a better dining experience. That’s right, it’s a dining experience. Not just a restaurant. The food is beautiful. Yes, food can actually be beautiful. Per Se is a Thomas Keller restaurant – same chef behind the famed French Laundry in Napa. Despite the fact that Per Se recently got bashed in the NY Times, my experience was quite the opposite of the critics. The staff was attentive and the food exceptional. I think it’s well worth the money!
What is your favorite restaurant in New York?
