My Top 10 Favorite Restaurants in NYC

When I arrived to New York City in 2009, I had a five-year plan – I just wanted to whet my appetite before moving on to my next adventure. But once the city got ahold of me, I couldn’t leave.

Now, 15 years later, I still find myself enchanted (albeit sometimes frustrated) by this magical place with culinary treasures awaiting discovery around every corner.

Over the years, I’ve dined at nearly 600 restaurants (meticulously tracking on Google Maps) and frequently get asked for recommendations. On my 10th anniversary of living in the city, I shared my favorite dining spots but a mere 5 years later so many of those favorites have closed. 

With our impending move to Portland, Maine, I thought it was time to update the list and indulge in a little nostalgia. So, this week I’m sharing lists of favorites (each Beyoncé-themed, because we are counting down to the new album’s release on Friday).

These lists aren’t meant to be definitive or even “the best of” since so many of these places are intertwined with memories and personal history – places I’ve shared laughs and good times (and maybe a few drunken tears) with friends, co-workers, family, and dates.

Kicking it off today with COUNTDOWN – my top 10 favorite places to eat in the city.

Soundtrack: “Countdown” – Beyoncé

HAO NOODLE
Chinese/Sichuan (Chelsea)
343 West 14th St, Manhattan

Back in 2018, my friend Annie and I happened upon this restaurant, which offers pan-regional Chinese cuisine. Since then, not a month goes by without one of us bringing up their Hotpot Beef Noodle Soup. Especially on cold days, nothing is more satisfying than this spicy, velvety, stick-to-your-bones broth. I’ve never had something so beefy and flavorful in my life. Nearly ever dish we’ve tried here over the years has been a winner!

Reservations: Available here.

Favorite Dishes:

• Hotpot Beef Noodle Soup  
• Bean Curd in Chili Oil
• Eggplant Salad
• Cucumbers
• Chili Oil Wontons

LOS TACOS NO. 1
Mexican (Multiple Locations)

Manhattan isn’t flush with great taco options – they exist but in my experience they are few and far between! One of my absolute favorites is Los Tacos No. 1 which started out in Chelsea Market and has expanded to six locations – without sacrificing quality (looking at you Tacombi).

Reservations: Not accepted – counter service

Favorite Dishes:

• Carne Asada Taco
• Adobada Taco

EMPIRE DINER
American (Chelsea)
210 10th Ave, Manhattan

We are a little partial to the New York institution (you may recognize it from Home Alone 2) – we did host our wedding dinner here after all – but this is absolutely our go-to neighborhood spot! It’s only two blocks from our apartment, is relatively easy to get a table, and the food and drinks are always outstanding. No matter the season or the weather, they have a variety of spaces to fit your mood. Just a side note: the private room is great for parties and the event staff is amazing!

Reservations: Available on Resy.

Favorite Dishes:

• Deviled Eggs
• Pigs in a Blanket
• Beef Carpaccio
• Kale Caesar
• Ribeye
• Broccolini

MALATESTA TRATTATORIA 
Italian (West Village)
649 Washington St., Manhattan 

This spot in the West Village has been my favorite Italian restaurant for years.  One thing I love is its versatility – it’s cozy in the winter, when intimate interiors and a big bowl of pasta are all you need to warm your frozen body and perfect in the summer when the walls shift open and you feel as if you’re dining al fresco. It’s great for dates, group dinners, or a solo bite with a good book.

Whatever you order, you can’t go wrong – although, after trying the Spinach Gnocchi with Gorgonzola sauce, I rarely go for anything else. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Reservations: Available for parties of 4+ by calling 212-741-1207

Favorite Dishes:

• Bruschetta
• Spinach Gnocchi 

WIN SON
Taiwanese (Bushwick)
159 Graham Ave, Brooklyn

This may be my very favorite in New York. They don’t take reservation for parties smaller than 6, but just get there when they open and you’re set. If you do have to wait, head across the street to their bakery for a little snack to hold you over! And if you really can’t make it to the restaurant, they have a cookbook that, while the dishes are challenging, are worth the effort. No excuses for not trying this one.

Reservations: Available for parties of 6+ via Resy.

Favorite Dishes:

• Marinated Cucumbers
• Fried Eggplant
• Sloppy Bao
• Fly’s Head
• Tian Miantuan

THAI DINER 
Thai (NoLita)
186 Mott St., Manhattan 

Uncle Boons (and Uncle Boons Sister) were two of my favorite Thai restaurants that we lost during the COVID pandemic, lucky for us the same team opened Thai Diner and included some of the favorite dishes at Uncle Boons. Reservations can be difficult, but I say stop by when they open and pop a squat at the bar!

Reservations: Open 1 week in advance on Resy.

Favorite Dishes:

• Thai Diner Egg Sandwich
• Thai Disco Fries
• Khao Soi

SALINAS 
Spanish (Chelsea)
136 9th Ave, Manhattan

While most restaurants that give you Sex and the City vibes feel very dated these days, Salinas feels just right. The tapas are delicious, the atrium room gorgeous and the cozy dark interiors perfect for a romantic date night. This is one of Alex and my go-tos.

Reservations: Available on Resy.

Favorite Dishes:

• Coliflor Al Yogurt
• Bravas Con Huevas Marinas
• Croquetas
• Moruno de Vaca

PRANAKHON
Thai (Union Square)
88 University Pl, Manhattan

Our friend Amanda introduced us to this spot and it quickly became one of our favorites. In 2023 it landed on the Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list (restaurants that don’t have stars but serve phenomenal food at reasonable prices) and every dish we’ve had packs heat and flavor! Even better, it’s typically pretty easy to grab a reservation!

Reservations: Available on Resy.

Favorite Dishes:

• Curry Pancake
• Short Rib Mussaman
• Green Curry 
• Crab Fried Rice
• Khao Yum

PRINCE STREET PIZZA
Pizza (Soho)
27 Prince Street, Manhattan

Alex introduced me to this one as it was right around the corner from his old apartment and was our go-to during the pandemic. The grandma slice with thick pepperoni bowls craddling grease is to die for! 

Reservations: Grab and go only.

Favorite Dishes:

• Spicy Spring –  Fra diavolo sauce, spicy pepperoni and fresh mozzarella.

GAGE & TOLLNER 
American (Downtown Brooklyn)
372 Fulton St., Brooklyn

Gage & Tollner has been around on and off since the late 1800s in the location. Not long after a first moved to the city the original space was turned into Arby’s but lucky Gage & Tollner returned to the location in 2021 and it’s better than ever!

Reservations: Opens 28 days in advance via Resy.

Favorite Dishes:

• Pork Pot Pie
• Parker House Rolls
• Crispy Hen-Of-The-Woods Mushrooms
• Butter-Roasted Hashbrowns
• New York Strip Steak 
• Malted Milk and Dark Chocolate Torte

Stay tuned the rest of this week for the remaining lists:

• CRAZY IN LOVE:  Restaurants that didn’t make the top ten favorites, but I return to again and again.
• ONE NIGHT ONLY: Restaurants I’ve only visited once, but love.
• (PIZZA) PARTY: Favorite places to grab a slice.
• SWEET DREAMS: Favorite places to buy cake by the pound.
• BEFORE I LET (YOU) GO: A sampling of other Beyoncé-themed picks for eating and drinking
• I MISS YOU: Gone too soon – formerly favorite restaurants that no longer exist.