By: Andrew Sun By: Andrew Sun | January 29, 2025 | Food & Drink, Guide, Feature,
NYC's restaurant scene is buzzier than ever, with a number of notable openings keeping us booked and busy over the past few months. Ranging from cozy retreats to trendy trattorias, these eateries are offering dishes that will warm you up this season. Here’s a look at the top new restaurants to try in the city this winter.
See also: The 9 Best Restaurants With Fireplaces In NYC
318 Park Ave. S / 212.597.9155 / Website
Daniel Boulud has done it again! The world-renowned chef has opened his first steakhouse, a take on the NYC classic with a French flair resulting in an indulgent menu full of steakhouse favorites elevated with premium ingredients and perfectly flavorful sauces. Expect to find plenty of beef steaks, seafood plateaus, veal and lamb chops, and a whole grilled lobster. To match, the exceptional wine list celebrates the rich, bold reds of France, California, and Italy. Rockwell Group imbued the space with plush velvets, deep blue tones and dark woods for a comfortable finish within the expansive dining room.
Armani/Ristorante
760 Madison Ave. / 212.207.1902 / Website
NYC is the lucky recipient of the latest Armani / Ristorante, located on the Upper East Side. Embodying the experience of Giorgio Armani, the restaurant offers authentic Italian dishes crafted with quality ingredients and careful preparations. The elegant and minimal presentation that Armani restaurants are known for perfectly elevates dishes such as Maine lobster with grapefruit and sabayon and steak tartare with saffron crumble and bone marrow. To top it all off, the gorgeous design cannot help but put guests at ease through its comfort, functionality and elegance. Seamlessly integrated into the Giorgio Armani boutique, this one will no doubt become a go-to for both lovers of the brand and foodies alike.
1 E 57th St. / 212.758.8877 / Website
A unique feature of the Louis Vuitton Maison on 5th Avenue, Le Café Louis Vuitton is a Parisian-modern café that combines elegant dining with the lush sophistication of New York. The menu includes fine French pastries, great teas and gourmet dishes in an upscale atmosphere befitting Louis Vuitton's classic design style. Le Café is sleek and modern, with attentive service, and offers a small oasis away from the hustle and bustle of NYC and the ideal spot to enjoy a classical meal or an afternoon tea.
36 E 20th St. / 212.680.4945 / Website
NYC became home to yet another incredible Indian restaurant through Passerine, a seasonally driven restaurant in Flatiron. Pairing Indian techniques with produce from the nearby Union Square Greenmarket and spice blends ground by chef Chetan Shetty's mother in Pune allows Passerine to accomplish incredibly fresh and authentic cuisine. Expect to find dishes such as Kolhapuri lamb tartare, a bold interpretation of the classic dish complete with in-season citrus and Kolhapuri spices. Between the food and the gorgeous and immersive interiors featuring custom botanical wallpaper, an unforgettable dining experience awaits.
48 E 26th St. / 212.257.7677 / Website
Move over, steakhouses! Flatiron is home to the delicious new seafood-focused restaurant Time and Tide. This fish-forward restaurant’s cuisine is designed around large-format proteins, with menu highlights including an oyster pan roast, cheddar goldfish, cacio e pepe squid and halibut pithivier. Simple preparations, such as cooking over the grill, allow the seafood to shine in the unpretentious dishes. Modellus Novus spearheaded the design, bringing in utilitarian materials, conjuring both the land and sea for a comfortable and inviting elegance.
147 W 4th St. / 646.476.4422 / Website
A few of NYC's foremost bartenders, Ivan Papic, Ivan Radulovic and Bratislav Glisic, have come together to open Dear Strangers, a modern cocktail bar and restaurant located in the West Village. The team brings experience from Employees Only and sister venue Macao Trading Company to its world-class cocktail menu and upscale yet casual setting. To match the inspired cocktail menu, the cuisine celebrates Latin American flavors with a modern American twist. To top it all off, Dutch East Design imbued the space with velvety textures, midnight blue tones, marble accents, leather details and polished wood and brass for a sophisticated yet warm atmosphere.
79 MacDougal St. / 646.861.3154 / Website
Acru, a multicultural bistro in Greenwich Village, offers an innovative dining experience blending seasonal ingredients with global influences. With a menu inspired by Australian, Scandinavian and Korean cuisines, dishes like golden hay time dessert and savory tomato bingsu provide a creative twist. The chic ambiance, paired with optional wine or cocktail pairings, sets the stage for an unforgettable evening.
902 Broadway / 212.353.3888 / Website
Aqua New York offers a unique dual concept of Japanese and Italian flavors, located in the heart of Flatiron. Aqua seamlessly combines the elegance of Italian cuisine with the delicacy of Japanese flavors. The sleek, contemporary ambiance and optional wine or cocktail pairings make it an ideal spot for both casual dining and special occasions, promising an unforgettable culinary experience.
11 E 53rd St. / 917.410.6449 / Website
Pasta lovers, listen up, because chef Michael White's Santi is about to be your favorite new restaurant. The mastermind between NYC mainstays Marea, Ai Fiori and Osteria Morini, White is known for his incredible Italian food, and Santi lives up to his reputation. The menu is full of pastas and crudos, with dishes such as Busiate with saffron, crab, uni, lemon and Mollica. Italian-inspired cocktails make the perfect match, while the contemporary space full of rich walnut and green onyx details rounds off the experience.
186 Grand St, Brooklyn / 347.227.7288 / Website
New York City received its first restaurant to specialize in kaisen-don, a traditional Japanese dish featuring steamed rice topped with raw seafood, through the Residence of Mr. Moto. Omakase lovers will know about the Office of Mr. Moto, and this new sister restaurant promises to uphold the same high standards of fine dining. Located in Williamsburg, the 52-seat restaurant is outfitted to look like a private home for a comfortable and intimate atmosphere. Naturally, the star of the show is the food, such as the signature bowl featuring tuna tartare, scallops, surf clam and yuzu tobiko atop seasoned rice with crisp cucumber and oshinko. Reservations are available now.
Barlume NYC
900 Broadway / 212.691.4978 / Website
LDV Hospitality, the brains behind NYC mainstays such as Scarpetta and American Cut, has done it again with Barlume, a gorgeous new all-day eatery in Flatiron. Meaning "glimmer" in Italian, the restaurant reflects coastal Italy's warmth and spirit through both its design and menu. Expect to find freshly prepared seafood, local crudos, rich burrata and housemade focaccia and pastas. Sure to become your new go-to for either a morning coffee or evening cocktail (or both!) Barlume is equal parts delicious and beautiful.
401 West St / Website
Joomak, the latest venture by acclaimed chef Jiho Kim, elevates fine dining with an intimate 27-seat setting designed by Thomas Juul-Hansen. The 8-course tasting menu artfully blends Asian, American and French influences, featuring dishes like truffle-infused scallops and duck breast with quince tarte Tatin.
16 E 16th St. / Website
Cafe Zaffri, opening in February at The Twenty Two in Union Square, brings Levantine-inspired cuisine to NYC, led by executive chef Mary Attea and pastry chef Camari Mick. The menu features dishes like chicken liver mousse, roasted squash and skewers, alongside artful pastries and desserts. Designed by Post Company, the space exudes old-world opulence with velvet, marble, and brass accents.
85 10th Ave / 212.970.2200 / Website
Crane Club is a luxurious collaboration between chef Melissa Rodriguez, Jeff Katz and Tao Group. It features Spanish-inspired grill cuisine in a redesigned, opulent space. The menu highlights include wood-fired Dover sole, Frenched filet mignon and a tableside raw bar, paired with an extensive wine list and creative cocktails. With a focus on high-level service and intimate dining, Crane Club aims to become an iconic fine-dining destination.
125 Carder Rd / 332.233.2963 / Website
Gitano Island NYC offers a modern Mexican culinary escape with a vibrant menu featuring short rib birria, Baja California hamachi tostadas and prime ribeye, paired with handcrafted mezcal cocktails. Set against the NYC skyline on Governors Island, this tropical oasis combines Tulum-inspired vibes with unforgettable flavors. Perfect for brunch, lunch or evening cocktails, it’s a must-visit destination for a sensory feast.
Photography by: Kathryn M. Sheldon