Restaurant Gems to Discover in New York

New Year 2024 brings our readers the opportunity to experience exciting culinary adventures. Check out these ten restaurants that offer menus sure to make each dining out memorable. We have included ones for many tastes and budgets including some that are recently opened.

Journey 360 – Located in the Flatiron neighborhood, there’s no other restaurant like Journey 360. Guests, seated at communal tables, enjoy a five course price-fix menu. But that’s just the beginning. While you dine, you will enjoy interactive storytelling from Broadway performers and 360-degree videos projected on screens to create a multi-sensory culinary experience. Without leaving Manhattan, you and your guests will travel around the world. You will want to return, but make sure to make a reservation.

Eli’s Table – This Upper East Side gem is a seasonally driven restaurant and wine bar that sources the finest ingredients for their menu from the popular neighborhood marketplace next door, Eli’s Market.   Have the ideal meal in an inviting, modern venue with excellent service. It’s location is convenient to area shops and Museum Mile. 

Casa Bond – This newly opened restaurant in Noho presents elevated Mexican fare and a creative cocktail program. Conveniently located on Bowery Street with nearby subway lines their Executive Chef Rodrigo Abrajan has curated a menu with creative twists on traditional dishes.

Creamline at The Mondrian – Located on Park Avenue South, this casual concept offers all of your faves in one place. With locally sourced ingredients in their menu offerings, guests can indulge in creamy rich milk shakes to go with burgers, chicken sandwiches, salad and sides. Savory housemade sauces make your food choices especially tasty. 

Nar – This modern Turkish restaurant transports you to the Mediterranean for lunch, dinner, drinks, and weekend brunch. Restaurateurs, Andy E. Arkun, Erhan Bahceci, and Zeynep Tansung, have a talented team of Turkish chefs that reimagine regional dishes using produce sourced from the Union Square Farmers Market, and meats from Amish Country in Pennsylvania. The restaurant serves clean, organic, halal-certified food.  Authentic flavors come alive with the treasured spices sourced from Turkey.

Philippe Chow –With two locations in New York City that include the Upper East Side and downtown, this luxurious restaurant by the celebrity chef, Philippe Chow, has a distinctive Beijing style menu. Many items are served family style for a table sharing. And be sure to indulge in their beautifully presented artisanal cocktails. 

Sagaponack – This newly opened seafood-centric has a menu curated by Executive Chef Phil Choy that features an inventive fusion of Asian and Mediterranean flavors you won’t find anywhere else. Don’t miss their dressed and roasted oysters! There is a diverse array of dishes many of which are designed as sharable plates, that are sure to delight guests. 

Tacombi – With multiple locations throughout the city, this fast-casual taqueria is a great stop for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy Mexican favorites such as tacos or quesadillas along with cocktails, beer, and soft drinks. Uptown and downtown, locations include the financial district, 33rd Street at the Empire State Building, and on the Upper East Side.

Park Ave Kitchen by David Burke – Situated on 48th and Lexington Avenue, the restaurant showcases two very different concepts. Each one has its own dedicated entrance. There’s a chic 106-seat modern American brasserie for upscale dining and a 50-seat European-style café for grab-n-go or grab-n-stay. The café is the internationally renowned chef David Burke’s first foray into the fast-causal arena.  

Burger & Lobster – In the heart of the Bryant Park neighborhood, guests will appreciate the tempting menu that has lobster rolls, burgers, sides and much more.  Check out their happy hour for specials on tasty bites and drinks before seeing a Broadway show.

Top photo: Bigstock

About Marina P. Kennedy (165 Articles)
Marina Kennedy began her writing career when her four children were grown and she returned to college to study in the humanities. She is delighted to be a contributor for Woman Around Town. The majority of her articles focus on the culinary scene, theatre, and travel. Marina and her husband Chuck enjoy the rich cultural experiences of the New York metro area and beyond. She hopes that readers like reading her articles as much as she enjoys writing them.