Manhattan

11 Madison Park

Has one of the most beautiful rooms of any restaurant in New York. Long well-liked for its upscale American cuisine and helpful service, it has in the last few years been graced with a new chef who has been getting rave reviews from many quarters. Call ahead for reservations.

2nd Ave Deli

This famous kosher delicatessen, which used to be on 2nd Av. and 10th St., reopened at its new location a few years ago. The place is a real throwback, which really feels like an old-school Jewish deli. The menu is more extensive than old-school delis were, however, and includes what used to be considered "appetizing" (i.e., pareve - neither meat nor milk) foods. Try their tongue, corned beef, pastrami, and kasha varnishkes, and enjoy their freebies of artisanal cole slaw, pickles, and gribenes (chicken fat cracklings). The food may be bad for the heart, but it's good for the soul.

Ai Fiori

This Ligurian restaurant has delicious cocktails (the fiori d'arancia, made with Old Forester bourbon, is absolutely delightful) and equally fine food, made with the freshest, highest-quality ingredients and with some kind of pleasant surprise in every dish. And unlike most other New York restaurants, it has plenty of space between tables. It is expensive but worth the money. The room is large, so while reservations are recommended, this is one upscale restaurant where it's usually possible to reserve at short notice.

Breakfast daily 7-10:30AM (limited menu in bar/lounge only Sat Sun); lunch daily 11:45AM-2:30PM (limited menu in bar/lounge only Sat Sun); dinner Sun-Thu 5:30-9:30PM, Fri Sat 5-10:30PM; bar menu Sun-Thu 5:30-11:30PM, Fri Sat 5PM-midnight·Around $125/person for dinner, including drinks, tax, and tip

Ariana Afghan Kabob

Very good food, which of course includes kebabs, but also peppery Aush (a type of beany noodle soup), Badinjan Burani (a fried eggplant appetizer garlic and yogurt, served with bread), etc. Salads, which come with main dishes, have a dressing which includes mayonnaise. Ask for no dressing and put the green hot sauce on them yourself.

noon–11PM daily·$25-30/person for a large 3-course meal with a non-alcoholic beverage

Arturo's

A popular local pizza restaurant with an "old-time" theme, serving coal oven pizza with a lightly charred, crispy crust and other dependable Italian-American dishes. There is live jazz there every night.

Sun 3PM-midnight, Mon-Thu 4PM-1AM, Fri Sat 4PM-2AM

B&H Dairy

This unassuming place is one of the few remaining old-time inexpensive restaurants in the neighborhood. It serves kosher dairy and pareve (non-meat but including fish) food. Since the soup costs only 50 cents more for a bowl than for a cup, always order a bowl. Good challah and good honest food - nothing fancy, but a very fair value. You can view the menu as of 2018 at their Facebook page; some prices have gone up, but it'll give you a fair idea of the selection.

Wed–Fri 8AM–10PM, Tue Sun 8AM–9PM, Sat 8AM-11PM, closed Mon·Soups: $5/5.50 per cup/bowl; omelettes: $8-9.50; sandwiches: $2.50-10; specials: $4-14

Babbo

The most famous of the restaurants formerly owned by Mario Batali, and especially well-known for its pasta tasting menu. Reserve a month in advance or stand on line before opening time (5:30PM on weekdays and 5:00PM on Sundays) to try to get a seat at the bar or one of the tables kept open for walk-ins. Babbo is one of the hardest restaurants to get a reservation at in New York, which should indicate something about its popularity. Do not expect a cheap meal, but this is one you don't have to dress up for.

Balthazar

Balthazar has the feel and quality of a good Parisian brasserie. Though informal and relaxed in feel, it is not inexpensive; however, many New Yorkers and visitors alike find it a worthwhile experience. Brunch is especially popular there, so unless you plan to show up for an early breakfast, make sure you make reservations; you don't want to be one of the people waiting on line for an hour or more, just to get in.

Mon-Thu 7:30AM-5PM and 5:45PM-midnight, Fri 7:30AM-5PM and 5:45PM-1AM, Sat 8AM-4PM and 5:45PM-1AM, Sun 8AM-4PM and 5:30PM-midnight

Banh Mi Saigon Bakery

This is in back of a jewelry and gem shop; no kidding! Both the Banh Mi Saigon (pork) and Banh Mi Ga (chicken) sandwiches are fantastic. Get them to go and eat them in a nearby park such as the one on the corner of Spring and Mulberry, a few blocks north and one block west. Note: Do not confuse this place with Saigon Banh Mi So at 369 Broome St, which serves sandwiches that are fine but nowhere near as good.

Barbaresco

Classic, elegant Italian restaurant that lures locals and tourists alike with brick-lined walls and delicious Italian pasta dishes.

Daily noon-11PM·Prices here are expensive and on par with similar Italian restaurants. Most pastas cost $15 to $24, while risotto costs $26, and many sides such as antipasto and lentil soup cost $8 to $15. Pietanze costs at the minimum $19 but usually up to $25

Barney Greengrass

Barney Greengrass has been known as the "Sturgeon King" for a very long time, having opened his original store in 1908. The smoked fish that this establishment is known for is not cheap: Smoked fish platters in the restaurant range from $28-58, not counting the "deluxe platter for two," which will set you back $95. You can save some money by having eggs with a side of smoked fish; that'll still cost you between $14.50 and $20.75, but you won't regret it. This place is a real New York institution, and the only place in Manhattan that is generally considered to rival it for what's traditionally called Jewish "appetizing" (that is, pareve products that are neither meat nor milk but include fish) is Russ & Daughters on the Lower East Side.

Tue-Sun 8:30AM-6PM

Bill’s Bar & Burger

Classic American fare, includes handmade griddle burgers, milkshakes and a wide beer selection.

Sat Sun 7AM-11PM, Mon-Fri 6:30AM-11PM·$5-15 (Aug 2015)

Bill’s Bar & Burger

Burger spot also known for disco fries (with gravy & cheese), beer & alcoholic shakes.

Sat - Wed 11AM-11PM, Thu Fri 11AM-midnight·$8-14

Blue Fin

Sushi bar, bar and lounge area, communal table and expanded private dining room options.

Sun Mon 7AM-11PM, Tue-Thu 7AM-11:30PM, Fri Sat 7AM-midnight·mains $23-$46

Blue Hill

An upscale American restaurant known for its fresh ingredients and subtlety. Call ahead for reservations.

Bo Ky

Very inexpensive food, reliable soups that are especially welcome in cold weather. Very quick service. They have side dishes of offal (pig's ears, etc.) for those who like them. They are also known for their Teochew country-style duck. There is another branch with an identical menu at 216 Grand St., between Mott and Elizabeth. Cash only.

Boqueria

Modern, Barcelona-style tapas are served in a warm environment alongside many other meat and seafood dishes with fresh, Spanish ingredients and authentic meals.

Fairly modest prices. Charcuteries are usually $20 to $35, while lunch dishes are in the $10 to $20 range, and tapas cost $35 per person. Most other items such as seafood don't cost more than $20

Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company

Commanding a loyal following, this bagel place is noted for its huge, filling bagels with a heaping spread of cream cheese (or one of the many other spreads available).

Daily 7AM-10PM

Bryant Park Grill

New American food in elegant dining room behind the public library, with a view over the park.

11:30AM-11PM daily·$30 for mains

Bubby's

One of the more affordable restaurants in Tribeca, this place caters to families and those who don't mind sitting next to high chairs. They do indeed have a wonderful variety of pies on any given day, one of the best cheeseburgers in town, and an interesting choice of beers.

Open 24 hours

Cafe Hong Kong

This restaurant was opened in 2013 by personnel from the defunct South China Garden, which used to be around the corner on Mott St. The portions are large and the food is delicious. This is in the estimation of many people the best Cantonese restaurant in Chinatown right now, and best to go to with at least a couple of friends and a big appetite, so that you can share a few dishes. If you like chicken, get the garlic fried chicken, which is one of their standout dishes.

11AM-11PM every day·Appetizers: $3-6; Soups: $3-9.95 (the $9.95 ones serve 4); Salads: $6-7 (except Lobster Salad: seasonal price); Sandwiches: $2-5; Mains: $7.50-28, plus some seasonal-priced ones, but clustering between $12 and $16 for mains not based on rice or noodles; Lunch specials: $6.95 (11AM - 4PM)

Cafe Mogador

Serves Moroccan, French, and Middle-Eastern cuisine, all dependably good. The cafe is especially popular for weekend brunch, but a very good breakfast/brunch is available every day of the week. More dishes are on the brunch menu on weekends, but you are likely to wait a half hour or more for weekend brunch during peak hours.

Cafeteria

The name is a misnomer; it's a hip restaurant -- a few blocks south on 7th for a broad range of stuff, nicely presented, with sidewalk dining.

Café Fledermaus & Café Sabarsky

Café Sabarsky is in a beautiful room with wood furnishings on the ground floor, across from Central Park, and Café Fledermaus has tiled floors and is inspired by the Cabaret Fledermaus in Vienna but is in the basement and has no view; however, the two cafes have the same lunch/dinner menus. These cafes are not cheap, and part of what you're paying for is the location and the decor/atmosphere, but you also get value, in the form of genuine Viennese cuisine and pastries. These cafes are a good option if you're visiting the Metropolitan Museum and prefer to eat something nearby that's better than the merely OK food at the Met's Snack Bar. You may have a significant wait for a table at peak hours, but it's worth a try.

Mon Wed 9AM-6PM, Thu-Sun 9AM-9PM, closed Tue·Breakfast (9-11AM): $3-20 for single dishes; $28 for a prix fixe menu, $38 with a glass of Sekt; Cold beverages: $5-13; Viennese coffee specialties: $6-8; Savory dishes (11AM to closing): $16-32 (less expensive ones are soups); Sausages: $14-20; Hot beverages: $8-12; Desserts: $7-13; Salads: $18-28; Sandwiches: $19

Casa Mono

A delightful Spanish wine bar and restaurant by Mario Batali. The food is smashing.

Celsius

Indoor and outdoor seating in the winter overlooking the skating rink. Good food and service, a little pricey but reasonably for the location (open seasonally).

Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

Enjoy the "regular" flavors like taro, green tea, lychee, black sesame, mango, and coconut (or the "exotic" flavors like strawberry, vanilla...), and don't neglect the sorbets. The owner also experiments and creates new flavors. Even though there is a Haagen Dazs down the street from this ice cream store, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is the go-to place for ice cream when you visit Chinatown. On a nice, sunny day, you'll most likely find a long line of customers outside the store waiting to purchase their ice cream. That is how popular this store is. If you really like the ice cream, you may purchase one of their Chinatown Ice Cream Factory t-shirts.

11AM-10PM·$8/1 scoop, $11.50/2 scoops, $15.50/3 scoops, $15.50/pint, $25/quart

Cho Dang Gol

A slightly upscale Korean restaurant that specializes in dishes made with artisanal tofu, several varieties of which are made on premises.

Lunch is cheaper (~$20) and more informal. Expect to pay about $30 for dinner

Citarella

Started out as a fish market, then added an increasingly large meat section. They also sell some prepared items. Can be pricey.

Mon-Sat 7AM to 11PM; Sun 9AM-9PM

Congee Village

Hong Kong-style food. It is a very popular banquet spot for Chinese people, with a wide and interesting menu including some of the best hot and sour soup you'll find in Manhattan and the garlicky house special chicken. Some people find the food overly oily, though. Seafood dishes are expensive, but most of the rest of the menu remains a good value as of 2022, as it has been for decades. Call for reservations if you have a large party or are going for dinner on a weekend.

Daily 11:00AM-10:00PM·Expect to pay $20-35/person for a large meal