Design-Focused New York Restaurants
New York is known for having some of the best restaurants, and new spots keep popping up that bring fresh style and unique designs. These new places don’t just focus on food—they also create a special look and feel. Here are some of the top restaurants in New York that stand out because of their creative and eye-catching designs.
Torrisi
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Located in the historic Puck Building in New York’s Nolita area, Torrisi is part of Major Food Group’s restaurant chain. Designed by Garrett Singer Architecture + Design, the restaurant keeps the building’s original look, with British-made awnings and a classic green color. Inside, the space has green marble, seafoam-colored velvet seats, and a mosaic floor with green triangles. Designer Garrett Singer says they kept many of the original design features, making the place feel like an old part of Little Italy, but with a modern style.
Greywind + Spygold
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Greywind, a seasonal American restaurant from chef Dan Kluger, is in Hudson Yards and has a cozy, farmhouse feel. Parts and Labor Design used blue paint, linen curtains, and maple tables that look like stone to create a simple, homey look. Below Greywind is Spygold, a cocktail bar with a darker, richer feel, including brass walls, velvet panels, and a green fireplace. Luke Lasky, the studio’s director, says they wanted it to feel like a hidden escape from the brighter restaurant upstairs.
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53
Photo Credit: 53-nyc.com
53 is part of a building designed by Jean Nouvel at 53 West 53rd Street, close to MoMA. The restaurant has a mix of Asian and Western design, with multicolored slats on the ceiling that give the space a bold, sculptural look. ICRAVE founder Lionel Ohayon says they wanted the space to feel dramatic but also comfortable, with the different design elements changing the mood as you move through the restaurant. A double-height dining room, visible from the street, creates a glowing effect at night, while a curved bar with a glass light fixture serves as the focal point.
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B’Artusi
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B’Artusi is an extension of the well-known restaurant L’Artusi, located just a few buildings away in the West Village. Designed by Carpenter + Mason, the space has a warm, welcoming feel, making it a nice spot for gatherings. According to Sarah Carpenter, cofounder of the studio, the design was inspired by the 1920s-style tea rooms. Bright colors and different patterns make the place lively: a green bar, floral wallpaper, and classic checkered marble floors.
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Ci Siamo
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Ci Siamo puts a fresh twist on Italian food, with a focus on dishes cooked over an open flame. The team at Goodrich, sent by restaurant owner Danny Meyer, visited Tuscany, Paris, and London to get inspiration from local restaurants. They created a space where the design highlights the theme of food “born from fire” by using terracotta, ceramic, metal, and glass. Visitors are greeted by an amber glass chandelier that looks like fire, while each element of the décor gives a nod to traditional craft techniques. The space also features a collection of art pieces from the 1950s to the 2000s, giving the restaurant a comfortable, almost home-like vibe.
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Ernesto’s
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Located on the Lower East Side, Ernesto’s is inspired by the lively bars and restaurants in San Sebastián, Spain, where locals gather for drinks and snacks. Designer Michael Groth aimed to recreate that same energy. The center of the room has a green stone bar, with a mirror-backed setup made of brass and oak, giving the place a sense of space. Green wood panels and brick walls reference Spanish design, while the big windows keep a modern New York feel. During the day, it’s a café with an open kitchen, but at night, it turns into a more cozy part of the restaurant.
Photo Credit: cntraveler.com
Hawksmoor
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The London-based steakhouse Hawksmoor has opened near Gramercy Park in a historic building from 1892. Macaulay Sinclair studio, along with Hawksmoor cofounder Huw Gott, kept most of the original details like mosaic floors, stained glass windows, and carved wood panels. “Our job was easy—restore the building to its former look and use reclaimed materials and vintage lighting to make it fit naturally in the space,” Gott says. The design uses older materials to keep the place authentic and respectful of the building’s history.
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Le Pavillon
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Le Pavillon, located in the One Vanderbilt building, is a beautiful space created by Brazilian designer Isay Weinfeld. Inspired by French pavilions, it’s peaceful and cozy despite its large size. “We wanted people to feel comfortable and protected from the city’s noise,” Weinfeld explains. A long garden runs through the restaurant, creating little private areas for dining. Soft fabrics, American walnut, Italian sandstone, and brass add warmth and make the place feel relaxing.
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One White Street
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One White Street is set inside a three-story townhouse in Tribeca that once belonged to John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Now, it’s a restaurant inspired by 17th and 18th-century Dutch design, which reminds visitors of the old days of New Amsterdam. Designer Richard Felix-Ashman used details like wooden beams, vintage fireplaces, and classic décor to bring the building’s history to life in a modern way.
Photo Credit: onewhitestreetnyc.com
