New York City may be the home to some of the toughest tables in the world, but it also has a plethora of great, easy neighborhood spots with lots of open reservations.
Scrolling through Opentable and Resy can be exhausting, so we’ve made the Saturday night dinner search a little easier for you.
See Also: How To Get A Seat At One Of NYC's Toughest Tables
We’ve rounded up the best places to go when you decide you’re not too tired to go out for dinner.
886
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26 St Marks Place/Website
It’s Saturday Night in New York City and you were planning on eating greasy Thai food on the couch in your sweatpants. Your friends convince you to go out, but you still don’t want to have to put on makeup. With tons of reservations available, you can stumble into 886 and have some of the best New York-influenced Thai food in town. If you’re feeling crazy, order sake on tap to accompany your Honey Glazed Popcorn Chicken!
Parm
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Multiple Locations/Website
Famous for their melt-in-your-mouth chicken parm and Chef Mario’s meatballs, Parm is a great casual joint for high-quality Italian. Founded by Major Food Group’s, Jeff Zalaznick, the Rigatoni Carbone is pretty darn delicious. Although relatively easy to get into, Parm is the type of restaurant that can easily be disguised as an Italian eatery with a crazy waitlist. Impress your date and pretend that you were waiting on securing this table for weeks!
Momoya
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Multiple Locations/Website
If you’re craving sushi, but not the ridiculous prices and over-the-top atmosphere, Momoya is the place for you. Serving some of the freshest sushi in town—and let’s not forget about the mouth-watering spicy tuna crispy rice—Momoya is a yummy, reliable spot. For being one of the more accessible Japanese restaurants in the city, this place is really impressive.
Virginia’s
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647 E 11th, Street/Website
This Avenue C restaurant has one of the best burgers in the city, without the absurdly steep prices and incredibly long wait time. Getting a reservation at Virginia’s is a relatively simple task, especially if you plan a day or two ahead. If you’re in the area for happy hour, walk into this American bistro for half-priced burgers between 5-6. Wednesday’s at Virginia’s probably require no reservation, so head downtown for free corkage night!
Seamores
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Multiple Locations/Website
You can count on getting a table at Seamores like you can count on drunk crying about your ex to your best friend—the odds are pretty high. The seafood and cocktails are consistently good time and time again. Seamores is a great beachy spot to pregame for a night out with your friends while you enjoy fresh fish and watermelon-infused margaritas. The vibes are 10/10.
Numero 28
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Multiple Locations/Website
With practically 28 locations in New York—just kidding, there are about four or five—Numero 28 is a pretty safe bet for a last-minute dinner reservation. This no-frills Italian restaurant specializes in Neopolitan pizza, baked hot and fast in a brick oven. The pizza is known for being not too thin but not too thick, achieving that perfect happy medium that all New York pizza lovers look for. Goldilocks would definitely be happy eating at Numero 28, and rest assured, she would be able to get a table!
Llama Inn
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50 Withers Street/Website
Despite being known as one of the best Peruvian restaurants in all of New York, it’s easy to dine at Llama Inn pretty last minute. This laid-back Williamsburg restaurant is a great spot to chill with your friends on a spontaneous Wednesday night. Although the menu can be a little intimidating, Llama Inn is a relatively uncomplicated, approachable dining experience.
Tacombi
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Multiple Locations/Website
This bustling Mexican restaurant is the definition of good food and good vibes. With multiple locations across Manhattan, you’re guaranteed to get a reservation. Described as a traditional Mexican taqueria, Tacombi offers some of the most authentic—and pretty tasty—tacos in the city. If you're not trying to make a reservation somewhere for drinks, you can easily walk into Tacombi and sit at the bar with a margarita pitcher.
La Pecora Bianca
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Multiple Locations/Website
For pasta this good, we’re surprised it’s so easy to get a reservation. Like looking on Resy at 6:00 pm and going to dinner at 8:00 pm, easy. Serving very solid Cacio e Pepe and Truffle Pasta, Pecora Bianca is the perfect place to grab a quick, casual bite with the girls. It's definitely overdone, but being a little basic never hurt nobody.
Photography by: Alex Haney
