10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in New York
What are New York's Best Local Restaurants?
The best restaurants in New York cover an impressive and eclectic range of cuisines. Grab a New York slice from hole-in-the-wall pizzerias, pick fresh seafood out of tanks in Chinatown, or splurge on sushi in minimalist surroundings in Midtown. Brunch is a New York specialty in the stylish Upper East Side. You can also enjoy huevos rancheros and syrupy Cuban coffee from an authentic East Village cantina.
New York truly offers an array of restaurants to suit every craving. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly eats or fancy, multiple-course meals, you can have it all in the city’s famous dining scene. Plan an exciting meal with friends or family with our guide to great restaurants in New York.
1. Anthony & Son Panini Shoppe
The quintessential New York sandwich
Good for: Budget, Families, Food
Anthony & Son Panini Shoppe is a classic New York sandwich shop in Brooklyn that features vintage-inspired paninis and heroes. The shop offers signaturesandwiches like Brooklyn Knights, a steak and smoked mozzarella hero, Buffalo Chicken, and the FDNY, a chicken cutlet with vodka sauce and mozzarella.
You could also get salads, lettuce wraps, bowls, or breakfast foods like egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and bagels. Anthony & Son Panini Shoppe has a store with merchandise and gifts which make a great souvenir of your trip.
Location: 433 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Phone: +1 718-383-7395
Anthony & Son Panini Shoppe
2. Alice
Italian seafood you’ll want to linger over
Good for: Couples, Families, Food
Alice, formerly Gradisca, is a family-owned and operated Italian restaurant which offers fresh pasta and classic cuisine made with local ingredients. Located in a historic brownstone, Alice offers a casual, yet upscale, atmosphere for dates, dinner with friends, family nights out, or a quick bite in the afternoon.
Some of the menu options include crostino Toscano, cavoletti, prosciutto e tigelle, carbonara, pappardelle, risotto, and polipo. Alice also has full dessert, wine, and cocktail menus so you can stretch your meal to spend more time socializing.
Location: 126 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011, USA
Open: Sunday–Wednesday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Thursday from 5 pm to 10.30 pm, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm
Phone: +1 212-691-4886
Alice
3. Scarr’s Pizza
Sample pizza with house-milled flour and local veggies
Good for: Food
Scarr’s Pizza is a retro-style pizza joint with pizza pies, slices, and submarine sandwiches. One of the most unique features of Scarr’s Pizza that sets it apart from other pizza restaurants is that it mills its own grains, so you’ll get the freshest pizzas and subs around. They also use delicious, fresh ingredients and organic vegetables for sauce and toppings. Scarr’s Pizza also offers a beautiful old-style pizzeria atmosphere with stained-glass ceiling lamps and charming decor with intimate seating.
Location: 22 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, USA
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from noon to 10 pm, Monday from 4.30 pm to 10 pm
Phone: +1 212-334-3481
Scarr's Pizza
4. Lobster Joint
Try New England seafood in NYC
Good for: Food
Lobster Joint is a New England-style seafood restaurant that serves fresh, local seafood for a casual surfside experience. The restaurant’s specialty is lobster rolls with unique ingredients like herb mayo served with a griddle bun, but you’ll have a lot of other seafood dishes to choose from. Lobster Joint has a raw bar with shrimp cocktail, clams, and oysters, traditional plates like fish and chips and fish tacos, and a range of soups and salads. There’s also a full dessert menu and a kids’ menu.
Location: 1073 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222, USA
Open: Daily from noon to 10 pm
Phone: +1 718-389-8990
Lobster Joint
5. Feroce Ristorante
Dine on delicious regional Italian flavors
Good for: Food
Feroce Ristorante is an Italian restaurant serving classic Italian dishes and modern fusion in an intimate indoor/outdoor setting. The atmosphere of Feroce Ristorante is inspired by the beauty of the Italian regions to make diners feel as though they’ve been transported to Italy when they dine. The recipes are simple but reflect the rich flavors and terroir. Dining is also an experience in itself, with wait staff displaying a rack of salumi to slice at the table and rolling a grappa cart with pastries and digestivi to sample.
Location: 105 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
Phone: +1 212-888-1092
Feroce Ristorante
6. Coppelia
Cuban comfort food
Good for: Budget, Families, Food
Coppelia is a Latin diner serving delicious Cuban food and drinks in a festive atmosphere. Favoring comfort food with Latin flair, Coppelia offers dine-in service in a cozy luncheonette setting and a delivery option.
You’ll have a range of choices for lunch and dinner, with appetizers, desserts, and sides to choose from, including nachos, guacamole, churrasco, ropa vieja, and oxtail empanada. Coppelia also offers cupcakes, cakes, and ice cream, as well as cafe con leche options like latte and macchiato for after-dinner relaxation.
Location: 207 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011, USA
Open: 24/7
Phone: +1 212-858-5001
Coppelia
7. Chez Josephine
Dinner with a touch of drama
Good for: Food, Nightlife, Unusual
Chez Josephine is a romantic, jazz-infused French-American bistro in Hell’s Kitchen. Founded in tribute to legendary performer Josephine Baker, it exudes vintage glamour with red velvet, chandeliers, and live piano music.
The menu features classic dishes like duck à l’orange, escargot, and filet mignon, paired with fine wines and cocktails. Locals and theatergoers love its warm, theatrical ambiance and attentive service. It’s a thematically-appropriate spot for pre- or post-Broadway dining, offering an elegant escape with a touch of Parisian flair. Chez Josephine is more than a restaurant, it’s a celebration of art, history, and timeless hospitality.
Location: 414 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036, United States
Open: Daily from 11 am to midnight
Phone: +1 212 594 1925
Chez Josephine
8. Teranga
A sample platter of West African fare
Good for: Budget, Families, Food
Teranga is a vibrant West African restaurant located inside The Hugh food hall in Midtown Manhattan. It offers build-your-own bowls featuring bold, nutrient-rich ingredients like fonio, jollof rice, and grilled meats or plant-based proteins. The menu celebrates a variety of African culinary traditions, with flavorful dishes such as Yassa Chicken and Mafé bowls, complemented by house-made drinks like Bissaf juice. Options for filling out your meal include sweet potato, palm fufu, grilled chicken, plantains, and Moroccan charmoula.
Teranga emphasizes sustainability and cultural storytelling through food. With its welcoming atmosphere and customizable options, it’s a favorite among locals and visitors seeking a healthy, delicious, and culturally rich dining experience.
Location: 601 Lexington Avenue, 153 E 53rd St, New York, NY 10022, United States
Open: Monday to Friday from 11 am to 9 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm, closed Sunday
Phone: +1 332 910 8138
Teranga
9. Vite Vinosteria
Authentic Italian food
Good for: Couples, Food, Luxury
Vite Vinosteria is an authentic Italian restaurant and wine bar that serves unique dishes with excellent wine. A favorite of the after-work crowd, Vite Vinosteria offers creative dishes with great portion sizes and fresh flavors with customer-focused staff.
Some of the dishes include gamberi all’aglio, a wild red Adriatic shrimp dish with ciabatta, and baccala mantecato, a whipped cod dish with polenta. You’ll also find a range of pasta and pizza, as well as delicious desserts. Vite Vinosteria serves brunch and dinner with cocktails and wine in the evening.
Location: 31-05 34th St, Astoria, NY 11106, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 4 pm to 10.30 pm, Friday from 4 pm to 11 pm, Saturday from noon to 11pm, Sunday from noon to 10.30 pm
Phone: +1 718-278-8483
Vite Vinosteria
10. Chelsea Market
A must-visit market along the High Line
Good for: Budget, Food, Shoppers
Chelsea Market is set in a repurposed factory, where the first Oreo cookie was ever made. Today, you’ll find corridors of stalls selling delicious food and artisanal products. They sell everything from cheese to fresh lobster to variations of pasta and pastries.
It’s not unusual to find local businessmen sipping on coffee next to tourists chomping down a taco or biting into a bagel. Los Tacos No. 1 offers some of the best tacos in the city, and you can guess what they serve at Very Fresh Noodles. Finish your meal with a sweet treat from the Doughnuttery. Read more
Location: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011, United States
Open: Daily from 7 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 212-652-2111
Chelsea Market
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