40 year NYC resident – Here are my Manhattan favorites

I listed the Brooklyn faves here, and some of the comments asked for my Manhattan list, so here we go. I didnt map this time but grouped them into hoods. I dont eat much in the UWS/UES and beyond. Just too far for me and not as interesting food wise. Like any other list this could look random in a city so culinary rich, but hey, the people have spoken 😉

ps, I stretched the borders a bit in order to fit everybody

UWS

Pig and Khao – Used to frequent the LES location. A top 5 for me.

Hell’s Kitchen

Frena – Elevated middle eastern by a seasoned chef, now owner. Taboon 2.0 for those who remember.

Pure Thai Cookhouse – Legendary Thai in Thai heavy Hell’s Kitchen

Chalong Southern Thai – Probably best Thai in Hell’s Kitchen today, if not Manhattan.

Danji – Former Michelin Korean. Nice comeback story after a devastating fire

Chi – Solid, stylish Szechuan with a twist

Don Antonio – Legit Neapolitan pies. Just about as good as it gets.

Chelsea

Tia Pol / Txikito / Salinas – Three excellent Spanish all timers, near each other. All quite different. I frequent Tia Pol more only because its more accessible.

Jun-Men Ramen – Good ramen but even better non Ramen items like the Mazemen and wings.

Taboonia – One of the only Druze in the city, probably in the country, offering various bready snacks like Bourekas. Gazala in the UWS is a fine full service Druze.

Flatiron / Gramercy

L’Express – One of the most reliable Brasseries in the city, aging like a fine Bordeaux

Olle – No shortage of great Korean in the area, but you’ll be hard pressed to find better Galbi Jjim

Ulivo – Nice all around Italian, good pizza, and a plethora of fresh pastas by a talented Sardinian

Milu – Fast food Chinese like no other.

Rezdora – Pricy high caliber Italian, especially the pastas, inspired by Emilia Romagna

Greenwich Village

Anton’s – I follow certain chefs I admire, until they call the cops 😉 Nick Anderer (Mailino, Marta) did an amazing job curating a great menu at Anton’s. He’s now doing his magic at his second, Leon’s (great lunch so far). Love the brunches here too.

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele – While not exactly the same as the Napoli original, a fancy pizzeria with a full menu

Jeju Noodle Bar – I preferred this Korean before the Michelin star, but its still outstanding

Balaboosta – The flagship of one of the most celebrated Israeli chefs.

Song’ e Napule – If I have tou pick just one pizzeria, this is it.

Leitao – Superb Portuguese. One of my favorite discoveries in the last few years

Via Carota – Possibly the most well rounded Italian we have. Popular for a reason

Dell’anima – Italian in West Village is having a moment. Just moved back after many years deep in Hell’s Kitchen. Outstanding pastas and chicken.

East Village

Foxface Natural – From a tiny Sandwich shop to not quite the natural progression to creative Michelin style dining.

Hearth – A reliable old timer and the creator of Brodo.

Claude – Josh Pinsky is another chef I follow for a while, from the Momofuku days in this case.

Fiaschetteria “Pistoia” – The closest we have to eating in a Tuscan village

Carnitas Ramirez – Possibly best tacos in NYC today.

Danny & Coop’s Cheesesteaks – Yes, worth the hype.

Spice Brothers – When a spice master opens a fast food Middle Eastern. Worth checking out

Nowon – Our go-to for a simple burger, rice cakes and more.

Soho

Pinch Chinese – Elevated Chinese. A favorite since they opened pretty much

Raoul’s – A celebrated old French Bistro.

San Carlo Osteria Piemonte – Piedmont is the best food region in Italy IMO and San Carlo almost does it justice. Order from the Piemonte menu

Rivareno Gelato – I’m an ice cream junky and this is my favorite Gelato these days. Especially appreciate the northern flavors

Nolita / Little Italy

Thai Diner – Super popular for a reason. Try to come at Off-peak hours

Wayan – Vongerichten Jr doing all kinds of Indonesian/French magic

19 Cleveland – Excellent all around Israeli

Tomiño Taberna Gallega – NYC’s best if not only pure Galician. Meaning get the Octopus.

Figo il Gelato – Another good one. Try the fig/ricotta

LES / Chinatown

Ginger and Lemongrass – Pretty much for the spicy lemongrass soup

Shu Jiao Fu Zhou – Hard to beat for a quick cheap dumplings and noodles stop

Spicy Village – Uncomfortable but exceptional Chinese. Try the dumplings and Big Tray of Chicken

Uncle Lou’s – Got a little too touristy lately but this is where I’d go for Cantonese

Katz’s Deli – The Pastrami Temple. Mega touristy for a reason

Tribeca

Au Cheval – Sick burger, Mac & Cheese even better

Nish Nush – One of the best if not the best Falafels in the city for many years

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