The best restaurants in NYC— beyond our champion desi diners
Some cozy, some upscale, all unforgettable… Chef Arun Kumar TR makes a fine selection of “real” food, for your next trip. Save this!
By Chef Arun Kumar TR
New York City is a place where you can travel the world without ever leaving the five boroughs. It’s a city where almost every cuisine on earth finds a home, tucked into bustling avenues, quiet side streets, or up a flight of stairs in an unassuming building. From smoky Korean barbecue and refined Mediterranean seafood to spicy Indian curries, bold Sichuan fare, classic French technique, and wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, New York City offers not just meals, but immersive dining experiences that reflect its global culinary landscape.
Each of these restaurants reflects a slice of New York’s endless culinary landscape—some cozy, some upscale, all unforgettable in their own way. This city never runs out of places to eat, but these are the ones that feel like mine and spread across different cuisines. Over several trips to New York, these are some of the restaurants I’ve enjoyed the most.
Yoon (Korean BBQ, East Village)
The first time we experienced the barbeque we were hesitant as the first course was beef cubes quickly seared on the barbeque and served… sauces, we asked. The waiter smiled and said, “No sauces, just a pinch of salt”! It was divine and was followed by various other cuts and marinated pieces, along with a couple of Soju bottles.
Yoon is an absolute favourite now that we visit at least twice on every trip. Tucked into the vibrant stretch of the East Village, Yoon is a modern Korean dining room bringing the tastes of Busan to New York. Their table grill is at the heart of the experience. Yoon is a paradise for beef lovers above all. The menu offers three barbeque packages: Prime package (Brisket, Fresh Short Rib, Dry Aged Ribeye), Haeundae package (Fresh Short Rib, Marinated short ribs, Sirloin Bulgogi) and Marinated package (Marinated short ribs, Sirloin Bulgogi, Beef Belly). Pair your meats with a kimchi pancake and of course Soju to wash it all down.
The owner designed the tables to fit BBQ grills without traditional ventilation systems, keeping the space bright and smoke-free—a rarity for Korean barbecue in Manhattan.
El Patron (Mexican, Prospect Park, Brooklyn)
This is like home to us, from quick pit stops to leisurely evenings. Just steps from the Prospect Park subway station, El Patron is a cozy, festive Mexican spot that feels like a neighbourhood staple. The tacos are the heart of the menu but take your pick from their choice of Enchilladas, Burritos and Fajitas choosing any meat or vegetables. My favourite is the Grilled Shrimp Quesadilla, which is a 12″ flour tortilla with a blend of Mozzarella and Cheddar cheese, jumbo shrimp, guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
Many a times after a long walk-in nearby Prospect Park, we have sauntered in, ordered Jalapeno Margharitas and La Paisana Chili Cheese Fries (Fries topped with homemade chili and melted cheese).
Their drinks menu matches the mood—led by the signature Jalapeño Margarita, which you can request mild or with serious heat. Other flavors like tamarind and mango round out the margarita options, while cinnamon-dusted Churros or Tres Leches make it easy to end on a sweet note.
It was once during one of the long Margarita-sipping-day that through a very friendly, talkative Colombian waiter that we discovered Colombian cuisine. He is the one who recommended The Arepa Lady in far off Jackson Heights, Queens.
The Arepa Lady (Colombian, Jackson Heights, Queens)
The very next day after the Colombian waiter’s recco we set off to look for the Arepa Lady. Our son thought it was the enduring effect of the Margaritas that had us venture so far to taste Colombian cuisine.
It was quite an effort to get there from Brooklyn. An endless ride, with a change on the subway and led by a moody Google we almost gave up but thanks to a helpful roadside vendor who smiled and said, “Oh! The Arepa Lady” and guided us to its doorstep. It was our first taste of Colombian food and it was a delightful discovery.
This once-iconic street cart is now a brick-and-mortar mainstay serving golden arepas (type of corn cakes) filled with cheese, chorizo, or sweet corn. The Arepa de Choclo is a must-try, sweet and crisp with gooey cheese inside, while the Arepa con Chorizo is perfect for those craving something savoury. The restaurant is very quaint with photographs of the Arepa Lady adorning the walls and a Phone Booth at the entrance.
The original Arepa Lady, Maria Cano, was a Colombian immigrant who started selling arepas from a street cart in Jackson Heights, Queens, to support her family. She fled Colombia with her sons due to political unrest and violence. Her arepas became a beloved late-night staple, eventually leading to the opening of a brick-and-mortar restaurant, now run by her sons.
Avra (Mediterranean Seafood, Midtown)
It was our wedding anniversary and the children said they had booked us for dinner at a special place. And special it was, right from the welcome, the service staff and the delicious food.
A refined seafood haven with multiple branches: Rockefeller Center, Madison and 48th Street. Avra offers an elegant Mediterranean experience especially Greek. Begin from their Raw Bar with oysters on ice, Shrimp, Lobsters or Crab and continue with whole grilled fish like lavraki or dorade, filleted tableside and drizzled with olive oil and lemon. They have an excellent Sashimi & Ceviche collection. And if it is not seafood, they have delicious Lamb Chops, Roasted Chicken and Steak to round out a menu designed for slow, elegant meals. A popular place for afternoon corporate meetings and date night evenings.
You can select your fish directly from Avra’s fresh seafood display at the entrance.
Harold’s (Bistro, Herald Square)
Shop at Macy’s, lunch at Harold’s! That has been our routine for many years every time we visit New York. A stylish but comfortable Bistro next to Macy’s, Harold’s is all about big portions and familiar comfort dishes. The first time we ordered two appetizers and two mains, we had to carry home many doggy bags! Nowadays it is one appetizer and one mains. The buttermilk fried chicken is perfectly crisp, the Fish & Chips, the burger stacked with aged cheddar and bacon, and brunch staples like avocado toast are favourites. Don’t miss their creamy mac and cheese or seasonal pies.
Their 24-layer lasagna (when available) has become a cult favorite for oversized comfort food lovers.
Han Dynasty (Sichuan Chinese, DeKalb Avenue, Brooklyn)
We need to thank Google for leading us to this restaurant. While shopping in the DeKalb area we were searching for a decent place to have lunch, Google showed us this Chinese place and we thought it cannot be too bad, were we surprised! Now we make it a point to visit Han Dynasty at least once on every trip.
While NYC is overflowing with restaurants serving various Chinese cuisine, when it comes to Sichuan Chinese do not miss out on the bold and spicy, Han Dynasty which serves classic Sichuan flavours. Signature dishes include dry Pepper Chicken tossed with whole dried chilies, Dan Dan noodles with sesame-chili sauce, Cumin lamb, and spicy crispy cucumbers. Vegetarians will love the wok-fried string beans and Mapo Tofu.
You can ask for a spice level above 10 for a secret challenge if you’re brave enough. For me it is always just in the middle, or less, of the spice scale.
Tonchin (Ramen, Midtown)
My wife’s search for the perfect Ramen in NYC after many misses ended on one freezing winter day at Tonchin, a sleek, Tokyo-born ramen restaurant. Tonchin serves richly developed broths like the signature Tokyo Tonkotsu and spicy Tan-Tan ramen. You can choose from other Ramen like the Smoked Dashi or Miso Ginger for vegetarians. The Chashu pork is deliciously tender, and the ajitama egg perfectly jammy. After Tonchin, it is difficult to appreciate Ramen elsewhere! Don’t miss the Tsukune (crispy Pork buns) or Karaage to start, and sip a Roku Yuzu Highball or Green Yuzu Marfarita to round out the experience.
Their broth simmers for over 20 hours every day. They boast of their noodles: “Our wavy, medium-thick noodles are designed to carry this broth well, and are hand-massaged for optimal texture. Contrary to the standard practice of resting ramen noodles over multiple stages, our noodles are prepared anew every day to emphasize freshness”. 
Ribalta (Neapolitan Pizza, Union Square)
When in New York you cannot miss out on pizza. You are spoilt for choice: from pizza slices sold at every street corner to gourmet pizzas at fine dining restaurants, each of them claiming to be the most ‘original’! Walking around the city we had tried many pizza places; they were good but not outstanding. Our son decided to treat us to some gourmet pizza. Entering Ribalta we thought we were in a sports bar what with large tv screens showing golf and American football
Ribalta is a great place to sit down and have very good traditional pizzas and unusual combinations. It is certified by the Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani, and brings ‘true’ Neapolitan pizza to NYC. The Margherita DOC is a classic—topped with San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, and fresh basil. You can build on that with a selection of toppings. You have an interesting Mr Purple (Purple potatoes, basil pesto, 36-month-aged red cow Parmigiano Reggiano fondue, crunchy ham, smoked fior di latte from Agerola). The menu also includes vegan / vegetarian options and white pizzas, such as the Funghi e Salsiccia (mushrooms and sausage) or Quattro Formaggi, layered with a rich blend of cheeses. At Ribalta they claim the ingredients are all the Neapolitan ones: from the flour used for the dough, to natural yeast, to tomatoes, to Buffalo-milk mozzarella from Campania.
Del Frisco’s (Classic American Steakhouse, Midtown Manhattan)
Like pizza, NYC has a number of Steak Houses —from old-school legends to trendy newcomers—Del Frisco’s was where our search for a great NYC steak finally landed.
Nestled in Midtown, just steps from Rockefeller Center, it feels grand in the best way: sweeping ceilings, white tablecloths, and walls lined with thousands of bottles from one of the most impressive wine collections in the city. But the real star here is the steak—and they give you choices. There were four of us so we chose different cuts. The Bone-in Prime Ribeye is rich and marbled, full of deep, beefy flavor. The Filet Mignon is the classic—tender, buttery, and cooked perfectly. If you’re in the mood to go all in, the Double-cut Lamb Chops or the Wagyu Tomahawk (when available) are indulgent, show-stopping options. Start with a Crab Cake and round out your plate with sides like Lobster Mac and Cheese or Creamed Spinach. It’s the kind of place that’s built for celebrations, long conversations, and unapologetic luxury.
And, as always, the steaks are big. We took home the leftovers and had lovely sandwiches the next day.
Del Frisco’s boasts a 12,000-bottle wine wall—soaring up two stories and accessible only by ladder—making it one of the most dramatic dining room features in NYC.
White Oak Tavern (American Tavern, Greenwich Village)
It was a chance discovery. Meeting our son who was studying at NYU during a lunch break and wanting to give him a good meal we wandered around for some time till we saw this Tavern. Having read a lot about American Taverns we decided to give it a try. We had to wait sometime to get a table. A good sign as it was popular and yes, the food was worth going back for. It is again a must on our list, especially the Brunches.
This is a modern American Tavern. Tucked just off Washington Square Park, White Oak Tavern feels like a modern rustic hideaway—warm, unfussy, and rooted in seasonal, locally sourced cooking. Their Brunch is very popular. You can feast on Chicken & Waffles, have a Country Breakfast (with eggs, roasted tomatoes, bacon, sausage and hash browns), a selection of Handhelds (Burgers and Sandwiches), Benedicts & Omelettes or Salads & Bowls. Apart from the Brunch it is a cozy place for dinner. Check out their Chicken Pot Pie or the Pork Chops.
On Saturday and Sunday, they offer a Bottomless Boozy Brunch and an All You Can Drink
Indian Dining in NYC
Indian restaurants are having their moment now in New York. Semma has topped the charts and Bungalow has forged a new path for Indian cuisine. There are other favourites like Baar Bar (an Indian gastro bar), Dhamaka, Gupshup and Tamarind.
But then would you want to eat Indian when you are a tourist in New York?
