50 Best American Restaurants in New York

“If I could give Helena more than five stars, I would. She was nothing short of legendary.

From the moment we sat down, Helena made us feel genuinely welcomed and taken care of. What impressed me most was that she was also managing a very large party right across from us, yet you never would have known it. She handled everything with incredible grace, professionalism, and efficiency—never looking rushed, never making anyone feel forgotten, and always with a warm smile.

She has that rare ability to make every table feel like they’re her top priority. Our drinks stayed full, our food arrived perfectly, and she checked in at just the right moments without ever hovering. Watching her seamlessly juggle such a demanding workload was honestly impressive.

Essex Restaurant is fortunate to have someone like Helena. Outstanding service like hers is hard to find, and she turned a great meal into an unforgettable experience. We’ll absolutely be back, and we’ll be asking for Helena every time.“

“chill vibe. great burgers. super cocktails. good service“

“Loved every dish- fluke with black tea, mint and peach(who knew raw fish and fruit went so well together?), amazing grilled artichokes and grilled eggplant. Barely touched my pasta with preserved lemon because I was full, but it was delicious. My daughter’s burger was iconic. The Platonic ideal of hamburgers. Coffee was also delicious. If we had not made a plan to go to La Cabral for dessert and more coffee, I am sure dessert would have been equally excellent.Service was excellent and our waitress was knowledgeable and interested in the food.The fluke reminded me of the first time I went to USC in 1988. I had a plate with raw marinated tuna, raw salmon and raw scallops. The little heaps of fish were so pretty on the plate with their contrasting colors.“

“Amazing staff, amazing food (better than my bubbies, but don’t tell her) absolutely loved it!!“

“Nudibranch was incredible. Food, cocktails, vibes and service were all genuinely 10/10. The crab tteokbokki was one of the best dishes we had all trip.

The whole team was so warm and welcoming, and you can really feel how much they care about the overall experience. A very special spot. Can’t wait to come back.“

“The produce served here was bursting with flavor. In fact, the vegetables were some of the best I’ve had at any restaurant. The meal wasn’t particularly protein-forward, however the chicken and fish received the same level of attention and execution and were equally delicious. Already anticipating my next visit!“

“I absolutely enjoyed having lunch here!
The young lady at the front desk was super nice and accommodating considering thr fact that we had no reservations and it was a party of 6 with 4 kids.
The menu was a tad bit limited however the food ordered was very delicious.“

“Best pancakes on the eastern seaboard! Absolutely delicious maple butter! It’s the best breakfast anywhere in the world!!! 🥞🧇🥓🍁🧈🦋👐“

“Really enjoyed this meal. The burrata was super fresh and the grilled peppers were cooked perfectly, bringing a nice smoky flavor. The veggies honestly stole the show, especially the broccolini, which was really well done. Everything we ordered was solid across the board. Big shoutout to our server too—super kind . I’ll definitely be back to try the steak and burger next time.“

“Incredible meal. However the service was what really made the dinner so memorable — we loved Andrew’s hospitality. He said he had only been working there for a few months, which we were surprised by because he talked with such passion like he had been there for years. It was really refreshing, as we know how jading fine dining service can be for waitstaff. He was just so enthusiastic and made us feel at home. My partner and I both agreed this dinner reminded us what makes NYC dining so special. Thanks for a great birthday dinner!“

“Absolutely loved this place! It's classic NYC vibes and fits so well. The food was outstanding and for as hard as reservation were to get it was not overly expensive on the food side! Drinks were up there but nothing surprising for the city.
Absolutely get the burger and make sure you get the peprcorn sauce with it!“

“Absolutely the best food in NYC we finally got a bar seat this past Saturday was in the city for pride we have been trying for years everything was spot on crysathenn salad, the stuffed flatbread and lasagna and cocoa tiramisu“

“Food and service was excellent. Service was out of this world. Can't wait to go again“

“After a cold and windy morning, not being able to get into one of the morning shows, we ran across this little restaurant by accident for brunch. They quickly welcomed us in with open arms and fresh hot coffee. It was one of the best brunches I've ever had, but what made it even more special was Joey the owner overheard our story, knowing we had a rough morning, and gifting us one of his comfort food cookbooks! The day couldn't have been any better. I can't wait to try one of his delicious Italian recipes this holiday season. I highly recommend the Little Owl. I certainly will be going back in the future!“

“What a treat to stumble upon Parker & Quinn! It was an intimate atmosphere and a perfect night for me and my 10-year-old daughter. The kids’ menu was so good (the pasta was homemade and so delicious that I had to enjoy a few bites!), and my margarita flatbread was incredible. Great service from our server and another gentleman (the manager?) who came over multiple times to check on us. I highly recommend you check this out if you’re looking for something away from the hustle and bustle and generic nature of Timed Square. Chef’s kiss!“

“Really Nice Restaurant i Recommend The Odeon Restaurant 😊☺️“

“The warm, casually elegant atmosphere features beautiful lighting and a relaxed yet refined vibe, creating a special ambiance without feeling stuffy. The food is thoughtfully prepared using excellent seasonal ingredients, with the roast chicken and squid rings standing out as highlight dishes. The wine list is impressive, offering many great options by the glass. Service is knowledgeable and attentive. The total cost is around $20-30 per person, including wine. This place is truly a neighborhood gem in Tribeca!“

“Waiter was extra kind and friendly!! Meal was delicious. Thanksgiving away from home. Atmosphere very nice.“

“The Pork Belly Bao Buns were freaking amazing!!!!“

“So beautiful and so delicious!!“

“Every time we take a trip into the city, we make sure to visit the Cookshop. Love the staff. So friendly and they make the best margaritas! Jiro (sorry if I’m misspelling) is a great bartender.“

“Birthday celebration for a friend and 13 others . Will be back again. Customer service outstanding. Atmosphere great. Had a wonderful time.“

“Blown away by interior design, topped with finger-licking food, friendly service, and such a well crafted drinks!“

“nice service,,🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😍💪💪🤳🤳🤳🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🤝“

“Enjoyed a Fabulous dinner and Found the food Delicious and Authentic 💯 The staff was warm and attentive, also the atmosphere and Cleanliness were top notch. Well done, We'll be back⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Had à great brunch at PJ and so appreciate our fabulous server Fabiola! She was GREAT!!!!“

“What a wonderful restaurant great mix of foods and service was so friendly. Highly recommend butternut fries to start!“

“We lived in nyc for 30 years. Recently moved to DE. God only knows how much we miss the nyc culture. Nothing holds a candle to it. Thank you Aaron for such a delightful lunch today at your restaurant. Best Manhattan I’ve had in a long long time! You were so attentive and accommodating. Service the best! Thank the kitchen for the great food also! Will be back soon with our nephew and his spouse!“

“Impeccable service. The hanger steak….❤️“

“A chic bar with elegant Gatsby themed vibes throughout.“

“This is what we call “fine dining.” We did not reserve the main dining room, as one of our party did not care for prix fixe. We opted for the lounge as you can have from the menu or prix fixe. When you first arrive, you are greeted by a pleasant hat/coat check lady. We arrived early and said we would wait for the other couple and were invited to wait in the intimate cocktail area. The cocktails were superb and served with a house-made cocktail snack. When the guests of the party arrived, we were escorted to the lounge area. An intimate area with about six to eight tables. After being seated and greeted by the head server (maître d' or captain), who explained our options, we all opted for the menu. After looking at all the choices, we decided to split two appetizers. Even though the number of items on each choice was uneven, the server said, “Let me take care of it". And then beautifully presented plates arrived with equal portions. And it only got better from there. The entrées were each explained in detail, including their origins and how they were prepared. I could go on and on. The fish, beef, duck breast, and pork were everything we expected and more. We all commented, maybe the best we have had. The house made desserts were perfect. I had possibly the best cheese plate I have ever had. The entire staff of servers were professionals and enhanced the evening. The most disappointing part of the evening was when a guest entering the dining room (after removing his overcoat) came in dressed in Dockers and a short-sleeve polo. This is an insult to the owner, the chef, and the entire staff at this fine restaurant. But maybe he was an elite or a “special” person. We all said we would be back.“

“Classic for pre-or post Broadway fare!“

“From our first steps to our departure, everything was AMAZING. This saturday evening was out last in NYC before returning to Montreal and The Smith Midtown made it PERFECT. The food was more than we could even expect. The seafood tower is quite an experience, treat yourself! Thank you to everyone at the front desk, including the managers, because they made us laughed a lot and were so nice to us. Big thanks to our server too. A must in NYC!“

“Brindle Room
647 East 11th. St.
New York, NY 10009

Sebastian Burger & Fries

As I was passing by, I spotted their sidewalk billboard, which mentioned Guy Fieri highly praising their burgers. I was instantly convinced right then and there to give this bar a try!

This burger was topped with American cheese and caramelized onions on a soft bun. The medium cooked patty is made with prime aged beef.

As a bonus, french fries are also included with the burger.

Guy Fieri was definitely right about this perfectly compacted sandwich that I cleared down to the last bite.

#brindleroom #sebastianburger #sebastianburgerandfries #brindleroomnyc #guyfieri #eastvillage“

“The most incredible meal I have ever had. Thank you.“

“Uma experiência fantástica, com ótima música! Fui do Brasil a Nova York para conhecer! Show!!“

“Finally able to visit and so happy I did. My drink, Dutch Revival, is my new favorite cocktail. The winter flatbread was delicious. Loved the vibe and hospitality.“

“Consistently good service! Our server Christian was great.“

“One of the best Georgian chain of restaurants in NYC. Delicious food, Georgian wine, cozy atmosphere and very pleasant staff. Highly recommended 💗“

“Lovey fine dining experience with my fiancé. We love coming here when we travel to NYC!“

“Outstanding service!! And the food was delicious!“

“Went 1st time today for my Birthday - it was GREAT!💙👍“

“Strongly recommended! Perfect meal. Every dish was perfect mixed of flavors; and portions. And the service added on the amazingness of this place. We are looking forward to next season’s menu.“

“This was a fantastic experience! From the moment we stepped inside, the staff was courteous, engaging, helpful and knowledgeable. We had a party of 3, and ordered 6 dishes. Each dish came out as it was made and each dish was absolutely delicious. A person in our party had a gluten allergy which was no problem and accommodated with ease. We come to NY every year and this will absolutely be a place we revisit again and again! Vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike will appreciate the dishes and be amazed with the taste! Highly recommended!“

“dog friendly and the food is very good“

“Took my husband here for his bday and my god, the food was incredible!!! everything was delicious. mint and fennel salad, squid ink pappardelle, and horchata ice cream were the highlights. the staff are so friendly and warm. Definitely coming back :)“

“New York-35th Amazing staff! Mia C was on top of everything. She was thoughtful and fast. She was excited for my son who was turning 10. So much food and make sure you get a shake.“

“Really great oysters and cocktails! We had a great time...“

“Holy cow! We just had the Restaurant Week Bento Box lunch from 232 Bleecker and it was just out of this world. Hands down the best meal we've had since the pandemic started. The way Chef Cupps teases the flavor out of vegetables and meats is just astounding. We are in heaven! We also ordered from 232 Bleecker on Christmas Eve, and the food was once again incredible. We are huge fans of Chef Cupps. She previously cooked at UnTitled at the Whitney which was our favorite restaurant in NYC. We are so glad that she and Nick and the rest of her beautiful staff are doing so well.“

“Food was great, but honestly our service was awful. They changed servers before our food was delivered and no one came by for ages. I’m not even sure we actually saw the second server. And for how difficult it was to get a reservation and for the price I would have expected better.“