By: Chandler Presson By: Chandler Presson | December 20, 2022 | Food & Drink,
We asked, you answered, and the results don’t disappoint. Another year has come and gone, and Gotham’s incredible community has explored all that NYC has to offer. Here, we share your favorite restaurants, bars and hidden gems in NYC throughout 2022. Take a look at these Instagram poll responses to see if you agree or disagree with your fellow readers.
113 Horatio St. / 212.924.9700 / Website
Located in West Village, this casual neighborhood gathering spot has been serving delicious Californian-Italian cuisine since 2004. Expect warm, rustic interiors and a fresh, seasonal meal.
181 Thompson St. / Website
We can hardly blame you, dear reader, for giving Carbone the recognition it deserves. While this hotspot might be one of NYC’s most well-known restaurants, it’s well worth the hype, as the spicy rigatoni truly is life-changing. Still trying to nab a reservation? Check out our advice on how!
103 Greenwich Ave. / 212.889.8884 / Website
There’s a reason this West Village eatery is the proud owner of a Michelin star. The Italian-American cuisine is delicious, the interiors are warm and inviting, and the team behind the magic is delightful. If you haven’t been yet, consider this your sign.
Multiple locations / Website
With multiple locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, Felice has long served as a neighborhood staple when it comes to Italian cuisine. 2022 saw the opening of Felice on Hudson, which brought all of our tried and true favorites to the West Village alongside some welcome new additions.
1204 Broadway / 646.590.3724 / Website
A new addition to the neighborhood, The Glass Ceiling is a gorgeous rooftop lounge featuring a glamorous botanical theme, delicious cocktails and a tight menu of perfected dishes such as angel hair pasta and Atlantic salmon filet. In search of an affordable meal with great views and atmosphere? Look no further.
110 E. 7th St. / 347.788.0682 / Website
This tiny East Village eatery serves thoroughly delicious noodles, with the can’t-miss dish being beef noodle soup. A classic red-cooked Taiwanese-style soup, this dish is a must for a Tawainese cuisine enthusiast. We recommend considering takeout, as diners often wait over an hour for seating.
75 Barclay St. / Website
Omakase was the name of the game in 2022, and Ito came to win. This 16-seat omakase counter serves exceptionally fresh fish prepared by talented chefs. Much of the fish is flown in from Japan, and the modern and minimalist interiors direct all the attention to the food. Don’t walk, run.
239 W. 14th St. / 917.388.2888 / Website
Looking for affordable traditional Spanish food? Look no further, as La Nacional provides delicious paellas and fideuas at unbeatable prices. We also highly recommend the gazpacho, and be sure to give the sangria a try, you won’t regret it.
97 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn / 718.215.7150 / Website
Located in Brooklyn, this Israeli restaurant’s delicious food is paired with unfettered views of the Manhattan skyline over the East River. Everything is cooked over a charcoal grill, and much of the food is served on skewers in the traditional Israeli style.
377 Greenwich St. / 212.925.3797 / Website
Serving delicious Italian fare since 2009, Locanda Verde is a bustling corner restaurant with a neighborhood feel. We recommend indulging in the four course prix-fixe menu for an unforgettable dining experience.
29 E. 29th St. / 212.651.3800 / Website
Located in Nomad, Marta serves incredible pizza in an upscale environment, because sometimes you want to dress up to enjoy your slice. While the pizza is truly the star of the show, the winelist is a close second, so bring some friends and split a bottle.
113 Macdougal St. / 212.475.3850 / Website
Nothing hits the spot quite like French bistro fare, and Minetta Tavern’s warm and welcoming atmosphere only enhances the dining experience. This hotspot transports you straight from modern NYC to early 20th-century Europe, and we can’t get enough.
30 Hudson Yards / 332.204.8547 / Website
Stunning views, chic interiors and a vibrant atmosphere are the mainstays of this Hudson Yards haunt. Sitting a floor above Edge, Peak’s elevated menus are matched only by its vistas. Expect to find seasonal modern American fare and delicious cocktails.
27 E. 20th St. / 646.692.9090 / Website
There’s a reason this Flatiron restaurant is the proud recipient of a Michelin star. The menu of house-made pasta, traditionally prepared meat, fish, local vegetables and Northern Italian wines never disappoint. We particularly recommend their brunch menu for an unforgettable meal.
Multiple locations / Website
With multiple locations throughout the city, Sushi of Gari always delivers a quality meal of fresh sushi in a minimalist environment. We recommend indulging in the omakase experience to taste the very best that Sushi of Gari has to offer.
79-81 Macdougal St. / 212.982.5275 / Website
One can hardly talk about the cocktail scene in NYC without mentioning Dante, so it comes as no surprise that Gotham readers love this New York mainstay as much as we do. You truly can’t go wrong with anything on Dante’s menu, but we’re partial to the Negroni and the Garibaldi.
30 Water St. / Website
This three-story Irish pub offers a different experience on each floor. Visit the taproom for bottled punch, mixed drinks and lively service; the Parlor for a stunning cocktail menu and the Occasional Room for private events of up to 60 people. Best of all? The food menu is available on all three floors.
236 Fifth Ave. / 212.683.2929 / Website
Located in Flatiron, this neighborhood favorite serves both delicious Lebanese food and incredible drinks. The cocktail offerings are updated seasonally and are consistently good. We recommend the Somewhere Between Uptown & Upstate, complete with Branchwater gin, lime, cilantro-mint syrup, grapefruit liqueur and Aquafaba.
35 W. 8th St. / 347.866.7739 / Website
This Greenwich Village hotspot has been named one of the world’s 50 best bars for three years in a row. Mace claims to be “dedicated to incorporating unique spices handpicked from around the world and collectively forming an award-winning menu,” and their efforts certainly show.
70 Pine St. / 212.339.3963 / Website
Next time you find yourself in FiDi, this retro-chic bar with a stunning view is worth a visit. Overstory sits on the 64th floor of 70 Pine Street and the bar’s wraparound terrace provides the perfect place to soak in the NYC skyline.
49 W. 27th St. / 212.689.4002 / Website
Everyone loves a speakeasy, and this Nomad mainstay gives quite the experience, as it sits behind a hidden door in Patent Coffee inside the Radio Wave building where Nikola Tesla once lived and worked. The interiors give nods to the space’s past, while the tasty cocktails will have you forgetting your own.
511 E. 5th St. / 833.328.4588 / Website
This tequila and mezcal cocktail bar is tucked away in the East Village, where it serves ethical and sustainable agave spirits alongside vegan, plant-based and gluten-free Mexican cuisine. The plates are excellent for sharing, so bring your friends!
114 Franklin St. / 917.540.5500 / Website
With calming earth tones, high ceilings and a cozy ambiance, Casa Carmen provides the perfect backdrop to enjoy traditional Mexican food crafted with heritage ingredients. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but we recommend the ceviche Verde and empanadas in particular.
30 W. 30th St. / 646.547.1408 / Website
Jewel Thief takes the idea of a hidden gem quite literally, as this hidden den feels like the kind of place high-society espionage might be planned. Jewel Thief even hosts immersive theater shows, in which the secrets of legendary international jewel thieves and their escapades are revealed.
Thank you, Gotham readers, for an incredible year full of delicious food, delectable drinks and excellent company. We couldn't agree more with your picks, and can't wait for another great year of NYC's finest. Cheers to 2023!
Photography by: Giada Paoloni