Is the Food in NYC Truly Better Than Everywhere Else?

This is a statement many New Yorkers, and fans of the city, believe to be true. It’s something I’ve been trying to figure out for myself - one meal at a time. After living here for years I’ve been lucky to dine in lots of different restaurants in New York, and I have not even scratched the surface on the thousands of different businesses and experiences that are out there in our city.

The answer to this question may not be an easy one. And if you’re not from New York you may be quick to defend the food from your own city and say why it’s superior. It’s hard to think back on some of the best meals you’ve ever had and be objective - because there are so many factors outside of taste that make one memorable. The ambiance, the service, the value. So many details go into creating a unique restaurant experience that sets itself apart from the competition, and leaves people believing they’ve just had one of the best meals of their lives.

One thing most people can agree on is that new bars, restaurants and places are constantly popping up in the city. And you have to applaud New York attracting some of the best chefs in the world, who go on to create some of the best restaurants and bars here. That’s my favorite part of living here, is the access to try new places whenever I want to.

But going back to those delicious NYC meals - once you’ve had a few, they can be hard to get out of your head! So I’ve gone back to confirm that these are all still great restaurants. Some spots on the bottom of the list I visited as a first timer, so keep scrolling!

So Here’s where I’ve been dining lately. Some are classics, tried and true. Some are more new to the New York dining scene. All are highly recommended.

Bar Primi

Bar Primi is one of the best (modern) Italian restaurants in the city in my opinion. Go if you’re craving a cozy bowl of pasta and a lovely wine list! I’ve gone a few times now and it never disappoints! My go-to meal is the penne ragu ala Bolognese, topped with fresh ricotta. It’s one they are known for! And the cacio e pepe is consistently delicious.

A few weeks ago my brother and I grabbed dinner here, sharing a delicious plate of the Sicilian tomato rice balls. For our meals I had the Linguini with 4 cloves of garlic and breadcrumbs (simple but powerful flavors) and my brother enjoyed the carbonara.

Souvlaki GR

Souvlaki GR has been around for a few years now, but here’s a reminder that it is still has delicious Greek food. Personally Kiki is my favorite Greek in the city, so authentic and tasty, but it’s also very unassuming and looks more like a dive bar.

Souvlaki GR does a good job at trying to momentarily transport you to the Greek isles while still providing a very solid meal. The menu offers some Greek favorites to start - I recommend the spanikopita, keftedes, and the Greek Salad (Horiatiki) is definitely a must! The portion is big enough to share as a starter. For an entree my favorite is moussakas, or going light with some skewers or souvlaki.

The Lower East side location is the best in my opinion.

La Lanterna di Vittorio

I love this cozy spot in Greenwich Village. Ryan and I came to La Lanterna di Vittorio on our third anniversary, and recently I returned with my girlfriends. Here to report, it’s still cute! I didn’t get the same romantic vibes based on the groups dining around us but the outdoor courtyard is perfect for gatherings. It’s also open all year round.

We split some pizza’s and enjoyed some delightful martini’s (created tableside). I’m still developing a taste for martini’s so I went with a lychee to start, followed by an espresso martini. New to the menu are lasagna flights, which offer four or eight different kinds to try like pesto, mushroom, arrabiata and more.

Funny enough, this restaurant was actually featured in the book Crazy Rich Asians as the date night spot the couple loved and often dined at as professors at NYU.

IL Cortile

This is a very classic Italian restaurant located in Little Italy that’s been around for a while, and generations have enjoyed it. Ryan and I try and go once a year around the Feast of San Gennaro’s in September.

This may be boring but I always get the penne vodka and Ryan always gets the chicken parmigiana. They are both perfectly executed!

Upland

Upland is one of my favorite restaurants in the city, and every time I come here I love it even more. Lucky for me, I live only a block away!

There are some menu items I go back to again and again like the angus skirt steak, the cacio e pepe buccatini, and the incredible sausage and kale pizza. On my last visit I decided to switch it up and take advantage of a seasonal offering instead, a ricotta tortellini with sweet corn pudding, tomato and fennel. It was unreal! My friends also enjoyed pasta dishes made to perfection like the lobster cavatelli and pappardelle.

Caffe Panna

I finally checked this very popular neighborhood spot off my bucket list! Cafe Panna has a line every day they are open, all summer long. I went on a Tuesday evening and was actually one of the last people in line to be served! Unfortunately they had already sold out of their daily special flavor, so I got a small cup of their classic vanilla with panna instead. It was so rich and flavorful, you could really taste the freshness. Every batch at their location on Irving Place is made from scratch that same day! They deliver so if you can’t make it there in person I would recommend checking out the menu and ordering a fresh pint to have at home!

Tara Rose

This little neighborhood restaurant used to always have a wait, and we’d often decide to dine elsewhere since there are a few similar options on our block like The Gem Saloon and Factory 380. But this summer we had brunch at Tara Rose a few times and I decided to add it to this list because the Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich is REALLY good - especially when paired with a little cocktail on a Sunday morning. It’s a very reliable location, especially when you need a little hair of the dog.

I also like the grilled chicken wrap and quinoa salad.

Cosme

I had been wanting to dine at Cosme for years. It’s a meticulously curated menu featuring Modern Mexican cuisine. It’s an expensive meal, but given the hype I was willing to try! To set expectations, the portions aren’t very large but every bite is JAM PACKED with flavors. I recommend ordering several options to taste and try.

Here is what we ordered, since the menu can be confusing!

BLACK BEAN TLAYUDA, CHANTERELLES, SPRING ONIONS
HERB GUACAMOLE, CORN TOSTADAS
SCALLOP TOSTADA, JÍCAMA, NOPAL
POTATO TETELA, NY AGED CHEDDAR, CAVIAR
BRISKET, CHILE MORITA, AVOCADO
CORNHUSK MERINGUE **must try!

Uva

Another reliable Italian spot on the Upper East Side is Uva. We’ve gone back several times now for their affordable and filling pasta dishes, extensive wine list, and tasty espresso martini’s. It’s a great place for sharing a group meal, with so many appetizers to choose from, and unlimited selection of brushette and antipasta. Though there are better Italian restaurants in New York this one is easier to reserve a table, the menu is very large and diverse, and the service is quick!

I’ve gotten this mushroom ravioli twice and it is so good!

Five Leaves

Five Leaves in Greenpoint Brooklyn calls itself a cafe - bar - and restaurant. A jack of all trades! It serves American cuisine with an Aussie twist, and the menu is quite extensive! My best Brooklyn gal Jenna took me here back in August and we split a bunch of delicious plates. We started with the green falafel and sweet and spicy brussels sprouts, followed by the indulgent porcini and ricotta tortelloni and a classic Five Leaves Burger. We really enjoyed the dishes we tried, but for me the starters were the best part! I have my eyes on the charred shishito peppers and the cocktails the next time I go back.

As a bonus I got to share custody of a small yet friendly dog at the table next door. We quickly became friends and the pup stayed on my lap until the meal arrived.

Thai Diner

I slightly regret never having dined at the famous Uncle Boon’s restaurant before it closed during Covid-19. But that’s why I was eager to enjoy a meal at the new Thai Diner from the same owners. So Mel, Katy, and I put our names in one night and waited about an hour for a table to be ready while comfortably sipping drinks at a bar up the street.

Not going to lie, I went hoping to try one specific menu item - The Thai Diner Egg Sandwich wrapped in roti. I don’t even love breakfast sandwiches or eggs usually but people have raved about this meal! Once we realized it wasn’t served after 5pm we bounced ideas off the lovely waiter until we decided to split the following dinner items:

Roti Kaeng Fak Tong - flaky roti with red curry for dipping
Pea Shoots Fai Dang - stir-fry with garlic, chili and soybeans
Phat See Eiw with chicken - rice noodle stir-fry with soy, egg and broccoli
Som Tum Salad - green papaya salad with Thai bird chili, tomato, peanuts and crispy dried shrimp
Thai ice tea!

it was such a unique meal, with lots of spices and unexpected spiciness! Pretty cool restaurant and meal that I would come back to!

Forsythia

I was so happy to get a reservation at Forsythia, as the restaurant is small and very popular (for good reason). The food was insane! Ryan and I went here for a celebratory meal and enjoyed it so much. It’s Roman inspired Italian dishes are to die for, and pasta is freshly made in house every day.

Naturally, I wanted to get one of everything. But I think we ordered very well if I do say so myself. Make sure to order each of these! The waiter said they are best sellers and house favorites.

To Start

Suppli
Polpetta dal Santo Palato
Pappa al Pomodoro

Pasta (best to share)

Agnolotti di coda alla vaccinara
Bucatini
Tonnarelli ala gricia

Anton’s

Now this is an extremely fresh update but seemed necessary to add! I finally dined here last night with my friend Lexi and it fully lived up to my expectations. People have been talking about Anton’s over the past year, but this was my first time eating at the restaurant myself. The restaurant describes itself as “a cozy, nostalgic New York café and wine bar in the heart of the West Village” and if that description doesn’t excite you then I don’t know what will. The outdoor dining set up was giving me some European / Parisian café vibes.

We started with some delicious pinot noir, split a delightful Arugula San Marco salad (so simple but flavorful) and then shared two very decadent pastas. The Angel Hair Francese and the Bucatini Bazynski.

Every dish hit it out of the park! I’d definitely come back for this same exact meal because it was that good. But it’s also spiked my curiosity to try more of the entree’s on my next visit.

So that’s the latest. These have been some of the best places I’ve dined at recently, but the list goes on! Be sure to check out my post on all my favorite NYC restaurants as well as some of those I’ve spotlighted.

I have quite a few restaurants on my list for this Fall, so stay tuned!

Xx Gab

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