Yelp Reviewers Have Chosen the Best Dining Spots in the Big Apple!

Most agree that the Empire City has the best array of dining anywhere in the United States. Destination restaurants? My goodness YES! Michelin Star, James Beard, specialty spots and the pizza pies are only the beginning when it comes to feasting in the Big Apple. Satisfy your curiosity with this collection of Yelp reviewers' favorite spots. Too many options to be totally inclusive, but this list will fill your plate and tummy in the "City that Never Sleeps."

Da Andrea-Chelsea

Looking for a place in the Big Apple to enjoy wine night? Da Andrea in Chelsea is one of the best choices you've got! They offer authentic, flavorful Italian dishes that go well with wine, hearty pastas in different variations that make the patrons come back, and a welcoming and cozy ambiance.

Review: Gorgeous decorations! The outside is adorned with flowers while the inside is classy. We opted for outdoor dining as the weather was so nice. We got the burrata and octopus to start and both were delicious. Service was fast and efficient. I got the cavatelli, which was good but I wish it had more flavor. I would probably get another pasta dish next time. Overall, a great experience still.

Learn more about Da Andrea-Chelsea here

Kalye Broome

Indulge yourself in Filipino cuisine at Kalye Broome, where you can experience the culture and spirit of Filipinos through food. It's like transporting you to different places in the Philippines with every bite! Perfect if you are looking for a one-of-a-kind dining experience, missing the Philippines, or craving Filipino food.

Review: Came here for lunch with friends on a weekend. We ordered Club 85 for 4 people and Pork Lechon. There was abundance of food. We all got satisfied and the food was freshly made, big portions, and well worth it. Definitely worth coming here for a banquet : )

Learn more about Kalye Broome here

Amelie West Village Restaurant, Bistro & Wine Bar

Amelie West Village Restaurant, Bistro & Wine Bar is a nice place to experiment with French cuisine. They serve delightful bistro-style fare and an impressive wine list, perfect for an intimate meal in a charming and cozy setting.

Review: We have been here twice and loved each time! Perfect if you want to have a nice date night or fun catch up with friends. We haven't tried the meals but certainly enjoyed the small bites (beef tartar) and wine selection (flights: Jules, Yaris).

Would recommend taking advantage of happy hour specials if you can, but even if you don't I'm sure you will have a great time! Food and drinks come out fast and the vibes are very nice.

Great ambience indoor or outdoor, highly recommend.

Learn more about Amelie West Village Restaurant, Bistro & Wine Bar here

Blue Willow

Discover the beauty in traditional Szechuan and Hunan flavors at Blue Willow in New York. It's one of the best places to explore Chinese cuisine in the Big Apple. Their place is also set up like you are in an old Chinese setting with a bit of modern flair.

Review: A great spot for delicious Chinese food in a classy, traditional atmosphere. The decor added a nice touch of vintage flair, while service was prompt and attentive. My party ordered a plethora of dishes, and enjoyed each and every one.

The Chairman Mao Braised Pork was possibly my favorite dish; meaty pork belly, lathered with delicious sauce and spices. The unpleasantness of the fat seemed more subdued than in other places I've tried, while still contributing to that amazing flavor.

We really enjoyed the Hometown Tofu Casserole. An underrated dish with a unique flavor and a great texture, despite its simple appearance. This was one of the first dishes to be polished off.

The Eggplant with Egg Yolk was another winner. Long strips of eggplant coated in salted egg yolk, full of flavor. If you've enjoyed Irvins chips or other salted egg yolk dishes before, you'll know how delicious this is.

The Century Egg Clay Pot was a delicious bowl of century egg mashed together with other vegetables. Not the prettiest thing to look at, but I loved it. Finding egg chunks was always a gem, although I wish there was a higher ratio of century egg to vegetable.

The Mapo Tofu was the only regret of the night. Simple and tasty, but just a normal mapo tofu. Nothing you couldn't easily recreate or get somewhere else.

We finished with the Pumpkin Mochi, was was small, sweet, and chewy. Not much pumpkin flavor at all, but still a great way to finish the meal.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed everything we tried, and would definitely return.

Click here to learn more about Blue Willow here

Rubirosa

Italian cuisine never goes out of style, even in the Big Apple! One of the best places to unleash the beauty of Italian flavors is Rubirosa, where you can indulge in pasta, pizza, desserts like tiramisu, and other Italian dishes. The good food they offer matches the cozy and visually aesthetic setting.

Review: Got the chance to indulge in some pizza at Rubirosa, and it did not disappoint. The wait was surprisingly short--less than 15 minutes--and I really appreciate that they text you when your table is ready. The ambiance is cozy and quaint, making it a great spot to enjoy a meal.

I went with the Tie Dye pizza, and it was absolutely delicious--definitely a must-try. I also ordered a half Arugula, half Honey Pie pizza, swapping out the pork for pepperoni (you're welcome), and the flavors hit perfectly.

Overall, great service, great food, and a welcoming atmosphere. Can't wait to come back!

Parking is incredibly limited

The price for 3 ppl came out to about $80 (2 14" pizzas and 3 juices)

If you are exploring Madison Square Garden, you might as well try to dine at Bourbon and Branch for a quick bite. They have a wide range of dishes and cocktails crafted to perfection to choose from. It's a great experience. The stack of sliders is amazing, and the retro and cute vibe is excellent for chilling.

Click here to learn more about Rubirosa here

Bourbon and Branch

Review: My boyfriend and I stopped into Bourbon and Branch on a whim for a quick bite to eat and were pleasantly surprised by our experience! Located just steps away from Madison Square Garden, this is the perfect place to grab a couple cocktails and dinner before a show.

The decor is very cute and retro, you'll feel transported back in time to the 70s. The staff were super friendly and attentive.

We lucked into getting happy hour drinks. I had an old fashion and my boyfriend had the espresso martini. Both were delicious and only $10! You can't beat that price in this location.

We also shared the short rib stacked sliders which were absolutely amazing. The meat was so flavorful and it was cooked to a perfect medium temperature. The sliders sit on a bed of potato wedges which are also a hit, perfectly soft on the inside and crispy on the outside.

We're so happy to have stumbled upon this place. I highly recommend for the next time you're going to MSG or are simply in the area

Learn more about Bourbon and Branch here

LoveMama

LoveMama is the place to be when you crave Southeast Asian flavors, such as Thai, Malay, and Vietnamese. Their creative dishes with bold flavors will take you to Asia from Manhattan. They are also perfect for private events.

Review: No frills, no nonsense. Superior authentic Thai/Vietnamese/Malaysian food. Yesterday was sibling day, and we always venture out to new and beloved spots. After our massages, we were famished, and my sister was craving Thai while I was craving Vietnamese. This popped up in a subcategory on the Yelp search. Immediately, it grabbed my attention because, could this be? Exactly what I'm searching for? Yes. Yes, it was. A mash up of all things good, and we got to trekking. Small spot, fast service. Attentive.

Decor was on the lower end, but to me, this signals that the food can hold its own. So, I was excited. 2 Thai iced teas, wings, Thai Tom yum soup, curry coconut soup, Uncle Phats dumplings, and a honey porkchop. The three of us simultaneously agreed the honey porkchop was the best thing on the table and of course it was mine and they'd wished they'd went with my pick lol But, I'm glad they didn't. We picked at each other's dishes. The soups were so authentic and fresh that it was mind-blowing. Served in a simple understated take out container. We were pleasantly surprised at the complexity of flavors.

The table favorite was the honey porkchop. Served with rice and palette cleansing veggies. Grilled to perfection, charred beautifully. Marinated somewhere between Vietnamese and Malaysian style. Absolutely delicious. Uncle Phats dumplings came in a peanut sauce that elevated it to another level. You can tell that whatever comes out of the kitchen isn't coming from a frozen bag. It is very fresh, and if it is frozen, they've perfected their techniques on how to appear freshly made. The dumplings itself were made so that you can taste the meat, the green onion, garlic, and slight ginger.
The wings were perfectly cooked and sauced to perfection in a general tso type of sauce.

The service was good. Nothing ostentatious or annoying. We shared plates, but nobody tripped and no added fee either. The entire meal came out to roughly $63. Before leaving, we met the owner who popped out and asked if we liked everything, and we quickly sung their praises in unison. My sibling are not easy to impress. We come from a land of food diversity and we often know what can be proclaimed as authentic and who's faking it. There is no faking here. This is all the way true to the game. We will definitely be back to try other things. Loved everything we got. Much love to the owners.

Learn more about LoveMama here

Nuovo York Pizza

Nuovo York Pizza is one of the best pizzerias that offers the famous New York-style pizza! With a wide range of toppings made from fresh ingredients and crust, this pizza has been one of the most favorite by locals. They offer other dishes; try them out if you are near Washington Square.

Review: Nuovo York Pizza, located right near Washington Square and not far from Union Square, is an absolute gem. I tried the square pepperoni, and those crispy corners are a game-changer--if you're into that extra crunch, you gotta get it.

The pesto pepperoni slice was delicious. I lived by a place in Queens that's known for their pesto slice so I was shook when I tried this one.

The creamy mushroom was my favorite though. It was light, flavorful, and doesn't feel heavy at all.

I had another slice that was topped with Arugula, that was a total win because it adds the perfect fresh kick.

While eating here I noticed that this place is clearly a local hangout. People were constantly popping in for a slice.

Heads up, they've got a great lunch specials too and the prices are super reasonable for the quality.

The star of the show and I almost ate the whole tray by myself were the Parmesan bites. So crispy and so addictive.

Talking to the owner about how they use fresh ingredients just made me appreciate the food even more. Definitely a spot I'll be back to soon!

Learn more about Nuovo York Pizza here

Dominique Ansel Bakery

Looking for cronuts? Dominique Ansel Bakery is the place to be! Their cronuts are famous, and they are a must-try bakery in town. They have classic French pastries and creative desserts that every sweet tooth will love!

Review: This is a top tier international bakery. Known for its cronut - a frankenchild of the caramelized croissant and donut with fillings and icings that change based on the month or occasion, and its DKA - a caramelized croissant, this bakery has more beyond that to offer. Everything I've ever tried here is delicious and a work of art, hand crafted with care. Come with an appetite, get a coffee, sit in the garden, close your eyes and enjoy an experience. Expect a line, longer and sometimes out the door on weekends. Expect prices you've rarely paid for small baked goods before. But expect also to be pleasantly surprised whether you've been coming here for years or if it's your first time.

Learn more about Dominique Ansel Bakery here

Spot Dessert Bar

If you want proof that heaven is a place on earth, Spot Dessert Bar is what you are looking for, especially if you have a sweet tooth. They have options you can choose from. One of the most recommended is the matcha lava. It will comfort you and make the day complete with just a bite!

Review: Some of the most unique desserts I've ever tried. This place is located down the stairs and can be a little hidden. Very busy environment but you feel snug inside. Every dessert has their own uniqueness you just want to try them all. Oh my gosh it was all so satisfyingly good. I recommend coming here if you get the chance.

Learn more about the Spot Dessert Bar here