New York City is a city that requires no introduction. There is no other metropolis like it; New York City occupies as much of our attention as she commanded hers, staying a permanent presence in the global imagination. Music, fashion, and literature; technology, business, and finance; and, of course, good food.
The Big Apple; the Empire State; or simply, and fondly, New York City. Whether you're a native 'Nu Yawker' or visiting the city and state for the first time, Elite Traveler has compiled a list of the greatest restaurants in New York that you should not miss.
Eleven Madison Park epitomises urbane refinement, serving modern French cuisine borne of Swiss chef Daniel Humm's concern with simplicity and fresh ingredients, a passion that has propelled this restaurant to the top of its game. It is not only one of the top restaurants in New York, but it has also been named the World's 50 Best. The restaurant's soaring ceilings and spectacular Art Deco dining area provide gorgeous views of historic Madison Square Park. In addition to the main dining room, customers may enjoy beverages from the restaurant's bar section, which features an imaginative cocktail menu.
Humm made news throughout the world last year when he announced that Eleven Madison Park will go vegan. Following its extended shutdown due to COVID-19, Humm stated that the choice should help safeguard the restaurant's and the planet's future.
Website: www.elevenmadisonpark.com
Since the Michelin Guide began sending undercover reporters to New York, Le Bernardin has received the highest, three-star rating. Chef Eric Ripert is a master of inventive seafood cuisine, producing fresh dishes with delicate European and East Asian flavours.
Lunch and supper are both well presented, and the seven-course tasting menu is superb. Aldo Sohm, the restaurant's head sommelier, has been crowned Best Sommelier in Austria four times since 2002 and Best Sommelier in the World in 2008. Art lovers will like the décor, since the quality of the art works covering the walls creates the impression of dining in an art gallery rather than a restaurant.
Website: www.le-bernardin.com
Daniel has become a standard-bearer for quality and perfection in cuisine, environment, and service, having been consistently acclaimed by critics and earning two Michelin stars to boot. Chef Daniel Boulud oversees a team of over 30 rigorously trained cooks who make beautifully presented fresh food. Daniel provides a variety of experiences, from the tasting menu in the big dining room to scrumptious drinks in the small bar to made-to-measure events in the private dining room.
Website: www.danielnyc.com
Two Michelin stars, four New York Times stars, five AAA diamonds, and a coveted position on the list of Les Grandes Tables du Monde have all been bestowed upon this quiet, romantic restaurant by culinary legend Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
The stunning views of Columbus Circle from the restaurant's large windows surpass these awards. Private dining and buyouts of the main dining room are offered in this world-renowned restaurant for a more exclusive experience.
Website: www.jean-georges.com
At Masa, don't expect to order from a menu: Chef Masa Takayama makes meals and serves diners as he pleases, utilising a vast range of beautiful and unique ingredients flown in from Japan.
However, the three-Michelin-star chef takes your preferences into account, waiting for your reaction to the first bite of his sushi before personalising the remainder of your omakase dinner. At the 26-seat Masa, there is just one seating for a meal, and your gastronomic experience might take up to three hours.
Website: www.masanyc.com
This is one of the city's best dining establishments, having received three Michelin stars every year since 2006.
Chef Thomas Keller's flawless vision is reflected in the cuisine, presentation, ambiance, and surroundings. The restaurant is a remarkable combination of open space and intimacy, delivering quiet and understated grandeur, with stunning views of Central Park and its own fireplace and garden. Make a reservation for a table in the 64-seat dining room or one of the two private dining rooms.
Website: www.thomaskeller.com
Marea, which means "tide" in Italian, is a restaurant that serves seasonal seafood cuisine. Fusilli with red wine braised octopus and bone marrow and grilled Mediterranean cuttlefish are among the dishes on the extensive menu.
In addition to an abundance of seafood and Chef Michael White's famed housemade pasta, Marea provides an enthralling selection of wines and beverages. The wine selection is extensive, although not solely European, and is handled by sommelier extraordinaire Francesco Grosso.
Website: www.marearestaurant.com
The food at The Modern, located in the Museum of Modern Art, is as meticulously produced as any of the masterpieces on the walls. In a restaurant overlooking the magnificent Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, head chef Thomas Allan has designed a menu replete with elegant, modern food.
The food is seasonal and hence ever-changing, and it is supplemented with sweets prepared by a professional pastry chef and an award-winning wine list. Its constant quality has earned it two Michelin stars, a three-star rating in the New York Times, four James Beard Awards, and the Wine Spectator Grand Award.
Website: www.themodernnyc.com
Daisuke Nakazawa is one of the world's most famous sushi chefs, and he puts his abilities to the test in this hip West Village eatery. His love of sushi is obvious in the 20-course lunch that changes everyday. To make meals in the Edomae sushi style, ingredients are sought both domestically and abroad.
Sushi Nakazawa's sushi is obviously fine dining, yet the ambiance is significantly more easygoing than that of its peers. Nakazawa's goal is to keep guests calm in a sophisticated and informal setting, and he enjoys putting on a show from the open sushi bar.
Website: www.sushinakazawa.com
In 2006, American chef Daniel Rose defied expectations by opening Spring, a modest 16-seat restaurant in Paris, the capital of fine dining. His contemporary take on old French techniques was a big hit, and he went to the US to create Le Coucou, where he has resurrected a once-forgotten cuisine.
There is a notable distinction between spring and le coucou. Le Coucou appears to be more in line with traditional Haute cuisine, with towering ceilings and sparkling handblown chandeliers. The cuisine mixes French classics with a modern American style that appeals to both traditionalists and trend-setting millennials, and it has earned one Michelin star.
Website: www.lecoucou.com