July 6, 2011

Best Restaurants in Downtown NYC...


Every once in awhile I get asked...What are your favorite restaurants in downtown New York? I posted this over a year ago, but revisit every once in awhile to add to the list! Working on Chicago next... 


Atlas Cafe - fun for groups, yummy tapas & sangria
Barbuto - opens the doors in spring and summer for a great outdoor feel
Bar'Rique - newbie wine bar on Bleeker St. with the tastiest dinner menu and to-die-for cheese plates
Blue Hill - seminal Greenmarket haven with fresh farm fare from an upstate complex called Stone Barns
Blue Ribbon Sushi - delish sushi and relaxed atmosphere
The Breslin - gastropub in the Ace Hotel that serves delicious cocktails and meat lover's faves
Cafe Cluny - favorite Sunday brunch spot in the W. Village, wait in line for the best egg sandwich 'ever'
The Charles - s'mores and more make this speakeasy/lounge a great dinner spot
Diablo Royale - West Village Mexican taqueria saloon
Essex - great weekend brunches on the LES
Five Points - warm and relaxed Mediterranean-American eatery
Freemans - comforting american cuisine tucked away in a charming LES alley
Gemma - hot spot on Bowery that serves up yummy Italian food
Gitane - Moroccan French cafe in the Jane Hotel
Hotel Griffou - trendy grotto eatery with amazing cocktails and yummy dishes
Il Buco - warm antique charm and Mediterranean dishes
Indochine - French-Vietnamese fairy-tale favorite
Kingswood - candlelit rustic feel with yummy american food
La Gazzeta - cozy Meat Packing district brasserie
La Esquina - best south of houston mexican spot on the map with killer margaritas (literally;)
L'artusi - italian with amazing flavorful food and busy upbeat vibe
Little Owl - tiny w. village neighborhood fave
Lupa - soft-hearted Tuscan trattoria
Lure Fishbar - new seafood, sushi, oyster bar that celebs love to frequent
Morandi - cozy Italian with winning wine list and attractive crowd
Palma - rustic Mediterranean-Italian gem
Pastis - chic, crowded Parisian style bistro in the heart of Meat-Packing district 
Pearl Oyster Bar - intimate New England style seafood restaurant
Pulino's Bar & Pizzeria - a boisterous crowd always hovers over the bar here for the best thin crust pizza
Smith & Mills - small cozy Tribeca restaurant where the food and experience are both amazing
The Spotted Pig - long waits are worth it at this upscale pub that serves up salty, smokey cured fare
Tartine - BYOB french bistro that is tiny and terrific
Waverly Inn - impossible to get a reservation, this American dining is delicious

10 comments:

Fern and Feather said...

what a great post!!!! love it!

Erica Cook said...

Copying this for when I make it back! Loving your blog... will be following. xo Erica

come play!
http://moth-design.blogspot.com/

jenna said...

these are some great ideas to try.

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

Great list! I often get asked the same but don't have a running list. I always think that's something I should do. I finally got around to Hotel Griffou a few weeks ago which I loved but I didn't go for dinner. Only drinks after dinner at The Lion which was eh... One of my other longtime faves is Gemma :)

Alexandra Steinmetz said...

Have you been to the Bourgeois Pig?! I feel like based on this list you might love it!

Unknown said...

I'm going to have to print and keep this for the next time I'm in the city!

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MG said...

I love La Esquina!!!

jillian :: cornflake dreams. said...

ooo cant wait for your chicago list! xoxo jillian:: cornflake dreams

Susie Q said...

Even though I moved from NYC 5 years ago, I still recognize a handful of those restaurants. Thanks for triggering the memories.

Danielle Moss said...

Haven't been to any of them. Another reason to hop on a plane and fly to NYC!