Nostalgic Flatiron dining room serving elevated American comfort food and an exclusively domestic wine list. Banquettes stay packed for house cheeseburgers, fried chicken, and unexpected regional pours from Texas or Virginia.
Busy Nolita takeout window slinging gluten-free Thai fried chicken and street snacks. Paper trays of crispy tenders, curry puff mozzarella sticks, and taro tapioca donuts go straight to the sidewalk or a few covered tables.
Dual-concept cocktail bar where a back room serves drinks that taste like food – think Cold Pizza or Key Lime Pie. Its casual front room is for walk-ins, pouring tap cocktails and serving a standout hot honey fried chicken sandwich.
Tight, five-table Puerto Rican restaurant in Loisaida serving massive plates of rotisserie chicken and mofongo. The cash-only dining room fills up fast, with a steady wait for a seat and generous homestyle portions.
Chinatown restaurant from childhood friends reinterpreting the Cantonese food they grew up on. The menu is built for sharing – expect modern takes like salt and pepper chicken served with scallion biscuits.
Corner diner serving Asian-influenced American classics under the rumble of the Manhattan Bridge. Expect long weekend waits for the honey butter pancakes and chicken katsu club.
Cozy, dimly lit Astoria dining room serving generous plates of Korean comfort food. Tables fill with sizzling hot stone bibimbap, spicy army stews, and shared orders of soy garlic fried chicken paired with bottles of cold soju.
Harlem take-out counter loading heavy containers with oxtail and jerk chicken 24 hours a day. Service is cash-only and standing-room only, with lines often waiting for the massive portions.
