New York City is filled with thousands of restaurants where you can find any kind of cuisine that your heart desires. But with so many options, it can be difficult to decide where to go.

As a longtime resident of the Metropolitan area, I’ve had the chance to try many different restaurants, from local mom-and-pop shops to the occasional Michelin-guide establishment.

To help you eat well on your next visit to the city, I’ve compiled a list of five of my favorite restaurants in Manhattan in five different neighborhoods. I’ve visited most of these restaurants at least three times, and I love going back to each because of the great service, delicious cuisine, and overall experience.

In NoMad: Ivory Peacock

Ivory Peacock is a cocktail bar and restaurant located in NoMad, just steps away from the Empire State Building. This spacious establishment has four different bars, including the Ploume bar with weekly DJs, and it’s home to the largest collection of gin in the US!

The restaurant’s cuisine focuses on upscale French-Japanese dishes such as peking duck croquettes, pork belly bao, and matcha crème brûlée, with seasonal menu changes to showcase new items.

The restaurant also has a happy hour during the week and recently launched an afternoon high tea experience on the weekends, giving you lots of excuses to give this place a try.

Ivory Peacock is a great upscale establishment for grabbing drinks and a meal with friends, a significant other, or even solo, so you’ll definitely want to consider visiting when you’re in the area.

What to try: The peking duck croquettes and fresh truffle spaghetti.

In the West Village: Sveta

Owned by a Ukrainian mother–son duo, Sveta is a modern Eastern European restaurant located in the West Village. It’s named after the owner Sveta who came to America in 1993 with a dream of owning her own restaurant in New York.

The restaurant’s goal is to bring people together around a delicious meal, making every guest feel welcome and like they’re family. Additionally, they focus on giving you a full dining experience with great service, cuisine, presentation, and atmosphere.

The restaurant serves dishes such as chicken kyiv, beef stroganoff, and whole lobster in a beautifully decorated space that changes seasonally.

They also offer a variety of extravagant cocktails. The idea for these came from Sveta’s son Alan, who wanted to create drinks unique to their restaurant, and from my experience, they’re incredibly eye-catching cocktails that you won’t find anywhere else in Manhattan.

I’ve been coming to Sveta for over three years, bringing friends who are visiting New York City from all over the globe to experience it. Whether you’re looking for a casual dinner, a fun brunch, or a girl’s night out, it’s one of my go-to restaurants.

What to try: The beef stroganoff, which is covered in a puff pastry layer, for a comforting meal, or try my other favourite dish, the chicken Kyiv. If you’re celebrating a birthday or special day, order the caviar cheesecake for dessert. You won’t be disappointed!

In Tribeca: Tamarind Tribeca

Located in Tribeca, Tamarind Tribeca is an Indian restaurant with stellar service focusing on traditional dishes in an upscale setting. They previously had a Michelin Star at their old location in Flatiron and with their new location, they aim to keep the same quality standards for their service and food.

As a South Asian individual, I’ve experienced Indian food worldwide. I enjoy trying it in different countries and cities out of curiosity, and I’m always on the hunt to find an Indian restaurant that makes traditional dishes that tastes as good as what my grandmother used to make.

Of all the Indian restaurants I’ve tried, Tamarind Tribeca comes the closest to matching this delicious and nostalgic taste, and it’s one of the top Indian restaurants I’ve ever visited – an opinion that’s clearly shared by others as the restaurant has been rated one of the top restaurants on OpenTable’s 2024 Diners Choice Awards.

What to try: The dal makhani, the saag paneer, and aloo parantha (an off-menu item).

In Chelsea: LouLou

LouLou is a French bistro and speakeasy located in the heart of Chelsea. The restaurant is named after the owner Matthias’s dog LouLou, and in support of the restaurant’s four-legged friends, they even recently launched a pet-friendly menu!

LouLou specializes in French classics like escargots and ratatouille, and offers both big and small plates with some vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.

The restaurant also offers quality craft cocktails, and you can find unique offerings on both LouLou’s menu and the menu at the attached speakeasy, Adélaïde’s Salon.

LouLou’s is perfect for dinner and drinks with friends, a date night, or a relaxing lunch break while exploring the city. Alternatively, Adélaïde’s Salon is a great place for a fun night out with friends, featuring their own specialty cocktail menu and live jazz and a burlesque show a few nights a week.

What to try: The moules marinières, petit poulet roti, and the cavatelli.

In Penn District and Bowery: Bar Primi

Bar Primi is a casual Italian restaurant with two locations, one in Penn District (directly across from Penn Station) and the other in Bowery.

Their menu focuses on traditional Italian dishes such as maccheroni pugliesi, Sicilian pizza, and veal milanese. Both locations have a patio to dine al fresco in the summer and a spacious interior for the colder months.

Their Penn District location recently opened in May 2024 and features some exclusive desserts that you can’t get at their Bowery location. These include the strawberry fantasia and cherry luxardo sorbetto. Since this new location opened, I’ve visited quite a few times trying everything from their cocktails to their pastas and their desserts.

This is an incredibly convenient spot to visit since it’s located steps away from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. Whether you’re attending an evening concert or you’re travelling by train, I highly recommend you stop by for some drinks and antipasti, or to have a full Italian dinner.

What to try: The fried tomato rice – and if you like strawberry shortcake, you’ll love the strawberry fantasia dessert!

Conclusion

While this list only begins to scratch the surface of New York City’s incredible restaurant scene, I hope it gives you a few great options to try the next time you’re in town.

Also, don’t forget that when dining out, it’s always a great idea to use a credit card like the American Express Gold Card, which earns 4x the points on restaurant expenses, allowing you to maximize your rewards.

We’d love to know if you try any of these restaurants, so please tag us in your social posts, and let us know how you liked them!